I remember being abused as a child, I was just 6yrs old and my parents had no idea that I was
sexually harassed and abused. We had more boys in the compound and my aunt stayed with us,
she was friendly with most of the boys and very intimate with one of them. I thought they
were going to get married because of how strong the relationship was, and how she always dish
out food for him anytime she cook. When my parents were not around she will send me to his
place to give him food or collect something from him to her, because my aunt always wore a
frowning look, anytime I told her that I do not want to go to that uncle’s place, I didn’t feel
safe telling her about his attempt to get in between my legs.
Luckily for me, whenever he attempted his evil plans against me someone always yell his name
from outside or he hears footstep approaching his room or my aunt comes to call me that my
dad had come back from work. World Health Organization (W.H.O) defines Child Abuse as all
forms of physical and emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect, and exploitation that
results in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, development or dignity.
In the past years Child Abuse statistics showed that 1,820 children died from all forms of
abuses and neglect, In 2021 alone , about Four Million Child Maltreatment referral reports
were received. The data also show that 80.3% of child fatalities involved at least one parent,
and 45.6% of children who died from child abuse were one year old – Vincent Iannelli MD.
In 2010 Leiden University and TNO (Netherlands Organization for Applied Scientific Research)
carried out a study into the scope and nature of child abuse. Every year an estimated
119,000 children experience some type of abuse. Child abuse is not just physical maltreatment
directed at a child, it is any act of maltreatment by an adult, which is brutal or intimidating
for the child.
FORMS OF CHILD ABUSE
Physical Neglect: This is when a parent, guardian or custodian fails to provide for child’s basic
needs, like clothing, shelter, education, food etc. Emotional neglect: This is the failure to
attend to a child ‘s emotional needs e.g not creating a safe and loving environment for
children when facing mental health problems, relationship difficulties etc.
Sexual Abuse: A forceful canal knowledge of a child
Physical Abuse: This is all forms of physical violence on a child or intentional bodily injury e.g
Choking, kicking, shoving e.t.c.
Emotional or Psychological abuse: this involves deliberately trying to scare, humiliate, isolate
or ignore a child.
CAUSES OF CHILD ABUSE
Child Abuse is caused by many factors. They include; extended family and social isolation,
unemployment, financial stress, poverty, family crisis (divorce) or stress, domestic violence,
marital conflicts or single parenting.
EFFECTS OF CHILD ABUSE
The effect of Child Abuse can result in the child having issues with trust, behavior, trauma,
communication and relationships. Victims may possibly be aggressive, violent, prone to drug
and suicidal thoughts, low self esteem, timidity, alcohol abuse, deal with anxiety and constant
fear.
PREVENTION OF CHILD ABUSE
There is a saying, “Prevention is better than cure”. There are many strategies to prevent child
abuse;
Build a relationship with your child: A relationship that makes them feel safe around you, do
not frown at them every time they have a question to ask or when they want to tell you about
what happened in school or in Sunday school. Be their first friend and best friend so that they
can be open with you.
Spend time with them, this way they don’t have to go visiting friends, uncles and aunties that
may abuse them.
If you are re-marrying, please make sure your kids feel safe with the person you wish to
marry before going ahead to propose to them.
Study your spouse to make sure they genuinely love your child or children and will continue to
show same love whether or not they have their own kids in the future.
Do not marry anyone that isn’t ready to look/ care for your child in your absence.
Get involved in the affairs of your kids. Do not hesitate to take them out of any school that
tramples on their rights or doesn’t take action when a child is being bullied in school by his/her
teacher or schoolmate.
Teach every child under your care his/her basic rights and show them how to stand up for
themselves.
Pay attention to a child’s behavioral change.
Government should do more in enforcing the child right law, and if anyone is caught, he/she
should be purnished according to the law to serve as deterrent to others.
