One of the reasons the Conscience alivet foundation was created was for the protection, support, enlightenment and empowerment of the most vulnerable group of the populace in the Niger-delta, Nigeria and Africa as a whole. And also to light up the future for women and children Due to the physiology and psychology of women and children, particularly the girl child, all sort of atrocities are commit
ted against her, even though the male child is also faced with great challenges, but it is a known fact the girl child is the most often target of abuse, particularly, s*xual Abuse. Most often the girl child is seen as prey by some unscrupulous men who could be their fathers, brothers ,relatives, known and unknown adults and even friends”, No girls child is spared as s*xual abuse against girls cut across the rich, poor, old and the young. The joy of childhood has lost meaning to many children as they are daily confronted with s*xual abuse in its various forms. Over the years this menace has been shrouded in secrecy due to the stigma and shame attached to it, because victims and families have kept silent, crisis interventions are not sought, perpetuators have continually walk away free, no adequate records are kept and the various circle has continue to roll
WHO in 1999 declared child s*xual abuse a public epidemic and in 2004,the regional office of WHO declared it “a silent epidemic” with a call for actions for all African Nations. WHO laid emphasis on child s*xual abuse becoming channel for infecting children with dreaded HIV. Over 100,000 children and women are s*xually abused daily in our nation. Statistics now show that one in three girls and one in seven girls are s*xually abused before attaining the age of eighteen (18) and 80% of female students are being abused s*xually before graduating from higher institutions in Nigeria
Sexual abuse is a universal and alarming problem in our society and a painful experience on it victims which can lead to a profound and devastating effect on later (physiological, psychological and emotional development
With emphasis on child s*xual abuse, According to KOFFI ANNAN, Former Secretary General of the United Nations
“Children face violence almost every day of their lives, sometimes the best kept secrets turn-out to be the worse-case scenario. That is the situation for estimate 275million children worldwide who witness domestic and s*xual violence annually. Often feeling lonely, terrified and invisible, their childhood secrets are not accompanied by share giggle and joyful whispers of innocence, but by pain, panic, shame and emotional scars of trauma”
However, not much is spoken about child s*xual abuse and other form of s*xual violence against women and children, yet its daily tragedy that befalls women & children from every tribe, village or city, poor or wealthy, and the increasing rate of s*xual exploitation of female students in the universities and institutions cannot be over-emphasized, this particular menace has been existing for years response solution, rather considered a normal process., every new week brings with it, a different dimension to incidences that glaringly exposes that denial and lack of response will only contribute to the destruction of Nigeria’s future leaders and new generations. The effect of s*xual abuse goes beyond physical injuries of delivery problems, s*xually transmitted diseases, chronic infections, occultic initiations/manipulations, etc, to creating lasting psychological effects on the victims such as inappropriate s*xual behaviors, emotional difficulties, suicidal tendencies, running away from home, substance abuse, abortion and prostitution, most often, children who experience s*xual abuse and exploitation more often than not, turn out to be abusers and exploiters themselves. Sexual violence and exploitation is a universal and alarming problem and a painful experience on it victims which can lead to a profound and devastating effect on later physiological, psychological and emotional development. Child s*xual abuse is part of the major causes of some bad habits and attitude being displayed in the society today which includes; prostitution, drug abuse, abortion, lesbianism etc. some short term psychological effects of child s*xual abuse include; fear,helplessness,guilt,shame,betrayal,anger,sadness,flashback,depression,anxiety and low self esteem while the physical consequences involves; social isolation, relationship problems such as inability to trust others, low self esteem, poor social skills or secrecy, substance abuse, su***de attempts, indiscriminate multiple s*x partners, fear of being a bad parent, fear of abusing other children, over-protectiveness and panic attacks, unwanted, unplanned child/teenage pregnancy, death, abortion and contracting of s*xually transmitted infection/disease. Violence against the child is violence against God , children are Gods heritage
