Safeguarding youth against sexual abuse

According to United Nation’s Children Emergency Fund, UNICEF report, “Children in West and Central Africa are victims of sexual exploitation and abuse. Presently, sexual abuse has become a major issue in Nigeria’s contemporary society as it is increasing at an alarming rate as adolescents, youths and even elderly people are being caught engaged in illicit […]

According to United Nation’s Children Emergency Fund, UNICEF report, “Children in West and Central Africa are victims of sexual exploitation and abuse.

Presently, sexual abuse has become a major issue in Nigeria’s contemporary society as it is increasing at an alarming rate as adolescents, youths and even elderly people are being caught engaged in illicit sexual relationship with toddlers, children and youth and in order to satisfy his or her sexual needs while some are drunkards, psychologically imbalanced, cultists among others.

Most of those arrested, confessed that they engaged in sexual abuse with children by either enticing them with some attractive or eatable materials which makes them fall easily to their trap in abandoned or uncompleted buildings, in schools during off days, by house helps in home of working parents or broken marriages among others.          

Study has shown that victims of sexual abuse include both boys and girls. But girls are more prompt and exposed to sexual abuse than boys worldwide.

Some of the high profile sexual abuse cases recorded includes the case of a 55 year old man who raped a seven year old stepchild after he drugged his new bride to enable him carryout this evil act in March 2017. A 45year old man raped three year old stepdaughter in Niger state as his wife turned him down by refusing to have sex with him and so he used his stepdaughter to satisfy his sexual urge in March 2017. Still, in May 2017, three men  gang-raped a one year-old child after snatching her from her mother’s back and ran into the bush, they raped the little girl until she fell into a coma. There are many unreported cases of sexual abuse around the world.         

Finally, children who became victims of child abuse are often left with a long time psychological effect like depression and other mental health conditions.  To prevent sexual abuse, parents should learn to discipline their children about the kind of people they should associate themselves with. Community action should be strengthened in order to halt the menace. 

Saidatu Ado, Federal Polytechnic, Bida, Niger State.