The sexual abuse of young people commonly referred to as minors is alarming. A recent data released by UNICEF puts the figure at 19 million Nigerian children who had experienced one form of sexual molestation or another. Against the backdrop of the concerning depravity, Juliet Jacob writes.
Concerning Wave of Molestation of Minor
In Nigeria, incidents of child sexual abuse are on the ascendancy in spite of the fact that it is a crime according to sections 216 and 218 of chapter 21 of the criminal code.
According to the Nigerian Constitution and other child focused laws the legal age of sexual consent is 18 for both boys and girls, but in Nigeria and elsewhere in the world, children as young as three years are becoming victims of the act by adults some old enough to be their grandfather.
19 million Nigerian Children are Victims of Abuse
According to UNICEF, one in four girls and one in ten boys in Nigeria experience sexual violence before the age of 18. The global organization says over 19 million Nigerian children have experienced sexual violence, with many cases going unreported. Back in Nigeria, the Nigeria Police Force reported 2,558 cases of sexual assault on minors in 2020 alone.
Combating the Menaces
It is in response to these sad statistics and the rising wave of this “evil”, that Nigerian governments has enacted and domesticated stiff laws and policies to protect children over the years. In addition, organizations like UNICEF, Cece Yara Foundation, and Zero Abuse Project have been working to raise awareness and support survivors. These efforts do not seem to be hitting the bulls eye.
In the last two months only several cases have been reported on the bestial adult behaviour.
A 16-year-old girl (name withheld) was gang-raped by three men, including a church security guard, in Obibi Village, Adakam Amumara Autonomous Community, Ezinihitte Mbaise Local Government Area, Imo State.
A three-year-old girl (name withheld) was defiled by a school bus driver, Michael Mowete, in Lagos State. The driver was prosecuted and sentenced to life imprisonment. As a result of the invasion of her private part by Mowete, the mother of the three-year-old girl says, “urine comes out of her daughter’s vagina every 15 to 30 minutes, and this shows how far damage you have done to the child.”
Favour, a 14-year-old girl was reportedly sexually abused by 75-year-old Jimoh Ibeh in the Igando axis, Lagos State. Lamenting the handling of the matter so far by the security personnel Favour’s father said “the perpetrator and his family are bragging that nothing is going to happen as they can see he has been released. Mr. Ibeh is roaming the community.”
Reliving her sad experience, Favour talked of the number of times and trick Ibeh used in defiling her. “He had sex with me on two other occasions, and he gave me N1,500 for food on Febuary 9, and he said his son has money in a carton which he will give me money to buy food.”
In Ado Ekiti, Ekiti state, a 13-year-old girl (name withheld) was raped by Olukayode Dayo, a 39-year-old former NSCDC officer. Dayo was prosecuted and sentenced to life imprisonment.
Consequences of Sex Abuse of Minors
Health experts say the consequences of sexual abuse especially on minors is devastating. In addition, they say, it leaves the victims with any one of or more of the following effects:
– Physical and emotional trauma
– Psychological distress and anxiety
– Depression and suicidal thoughts
– Unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections
– Stigma and social isolation
– Difficulty in school and impaired academic performance
The experts also list the following as some of the factors that lead to incidents of sexual abuse of minors:
– Cultural and societal norms that perpetuate silence and stigma around sexual abuse
– Lack of effective law enforcement and prosecution of perpetrators
– Limited access to education and awareness about sexual abuse
– Poverty and vulnerability of children in rural areas
What Experts are Saying
– Strengthen law enforcement and prosecution of perpetrators
– Increase public awareness and education on sexual abuse
– Provide support services and counseling for survivors
– Engage with traditional and religious leaders to change cultural norms
– Improve access to quality education and economic opportunities
Speaking with Africa health report (AHR), Gender Desk Officer of Bwari Area Council in Abuja, Mr. A. A Ahmad.
He agrees and added that “most times, what causes it is mental health issues, alcoholism and ponographic movies.
Child marriage also contribute to sexual violence against minors.
He further listed circumstances including poverty, ignorance, poor education and unstable homes, environments.
“Child sexual abuse appears to be more common in females than males, usually occurs in settings the child is familiar with, and most abusers are known to the children before the onset of the abuse.
“The violation of the rights of children comes in many forms; violence, child labour, trafficking, sexual exploitation, female genital mutilation, child marriage, amongst others.”
