“Most Child Abuse Cases End Up With The Offenders Going Scot-Free!” – NWABUISI GOSPEL

The statistic of Child Abuse is negatively soaring in Nigeria. If conviction rate of child abuse offenders in Nigeria is anything to go by, most of the offenders in these cases could have gone scot-free.

The vulnerability of children in Nigeria seems to make them easy targets for sexual offenders. This might be controversial but Nigeria is a country where it is extremely easy to molest or abuse a child, because of issues such as no supervision at home, poor parenting, not to mention the situation where you see little children walking to school by themselves, sometimes in bushy areas.

Astutely, many child rights activists have argued that the low number of cases that had been investigated or cleared up by the police coupled with the small number of perpetrators brought to justice are factors, which cause this epidemic to continue.

So, factoring in the conviction rate, does justice elude those who muster the courage to report?

The question and couple of more beg for answers, and there would be no better answers than from a child right activist – Mr. Nwabuisi Gospel is a girl-child Activist and Executive Director of the @GirlChildright Campaign. Girlchildrights is a Grassroots NGO that is focused on the total welfare of the girl-child.

Besides, his organization has created a wide platform where young minds and passionate individuals, and communities are engaged to promote and advocate for the rights of the girl-child. @GirlChildright initiative also raises a loud voice against girl-based violence and increase awareness of her needs in reaching her optimal potentials.

Mr. Nwabuisi Gospel
Executive Director @GirlChildright

What exactly are the causes of Child Abuse in Nigeria and its effect?

Mr. Nwabuisi: The causes of Child Abuse in Nigeria include:

1.                 Poverty: As a result of financial crisis in some family, this can lead to the children to being engaged in heavy labour, which is mentally and physically unstable, or forced on participating in illegal activities such as begging, theft, child marriage, prostitution etc.

2.                 In some cases, children with disabilities, mental disorder or even chronic disease, including unwanted children, are prone to child abuse.

3.                 Size of the family can also increase the risk of child abuse.

4.                 Majority of parents do mistake corporal punishment and beating for discipline and whereby abusing the child physically.

5.                 Studies have shown that parents who were maltreated or abused as children are at high risk of abusing their own children.

With the prevalent and numerous cases, why is Child Abuse in Nigeria still receiving little attention?

Mr. Nwabuisi: The reasons are not farfetched – they include cultural influence, societal views and family upbringing. When a child does something wrong, it is believed he has to be disciplined and given corporal punishment. These elements have made child abuse cases in Nigeria to receive little attention.

Is justice really served in cases of Child Abuse in Nigeria? What has happened to all the cases we read about in the news?

Mr. Nwabuisi: Justice is not served at all! Most child abuse cases end up with the offenders going scot-free because of the financial strength of the offenders who might seek for settlement out of court and hence, the victim is paid off and the case and justice then buried.

We can draw an example from the ‘Chibok girls’ that were kidnapped some years back but today, we are yet to see all the girls back home neither have the perpetrators been brought to justice.

Mr. Nwabuisi Gospel

How can the Government and NGOs help in salvaging the current pitiful state of Child Abuse in Nigeria?

Mr. Nwabuisi: Government should come up with poverty alleviation programs and projects that can provide the basic necessities such as food, water, security, education, hospital etc. Also, government should establish more orphanages, children home and rehabilitation centres with credible staff to manage them.

Government should also support NGOs; finance public awareness in fighting Child Abuse. They should have the political will to implement laws and provisions against child abuse.

The NGOs, on the other hand, have the onerous responsibility of raising awareness in all forms, providing accurate data and information, advising and counselling victims of Child. The NGOs can also draft out programs and schemes to fight child abuse. They can offer legal consultation and mentorship.

Do we need more effective legal protection for our children, or implement the child rights act effectively?

Mr. Nwabuisi: There are enough laws and provisions protecting our children, but the issue is the implementation of these laws. Adequate measures should be provided to enforce these laws through the appropriate mechanism. These should be made known and easily accessible to the public.

Do we have oganizations established for victims of Child Abuse in Nigeria, as a place of rehabilitation?

Mr. Nwabuisi: Yes. We do have private organizations that are running general rehabilitation centres for different cases such, drug and alcohol, mental and health disorder but we are yet to see rehabilitation centres for victims of Child Abuse, which would help in checkmating child abuse in Nigeria.

Finally, what other recommendations do you have as regards Child Abuse in Nigeria?

Mr. Nwabuisi: Children must be protected from any form of abuse and violence so that they would be able to enjoy their childhood, grow up healthy and in a confident manner, achieve their potential and contribute to the development of the nation.