Executive Director, Child Dignity Foundation, CDF, Mrs Amaka Awogu, who spoke at the formal launch of CDF in Lagos posited that failure of parents to discuss sex with the children is seriously fuelling child sexual abuse.
“If parents fail to teach the children about sex, someone else will do it. We must encourage our children to trust us and be free to discuss every topic with parents rather with relatives or neighbours. We must
define relationship for our children.”
Awogu who narrated live cases of sexual abuse of Nigerian children aged six months to 12 years, described the act as a silent crime.
Lamenting the prevalence of the indecent act, she said: “More worrisome was the reaction I got at a police station while inquiring about a case of a two-year-old child who was sexually abused by a man of 39. The police were asking us which of the sexual defilement cases.
At the hospital, I witnessed over 24 cases of children that had been sexually assaulted by adults. One of the cases involved a six-month-old baby who could not survive the inhuman act. Another case is the case involving a father and his nine-year-old daughter.”
Awogu who disclosed that a total of 22 cases are currently being handled by CDF since its inception 18 months ago, said the NGO would be focusing on child rights protection, development and advocacy.
Stating that CDF has met with the National Assembly members to address some of the issues which had made it easy for paedophiles to get away with their crimes said CDF is advocating for a sex offender register. “We are calling for special court for these cases.
We have witnessed instances where victims have been victimised and battered all over again by our judicial system and we currently have cases in court that have been going on for over two years. We must forget that justice delayed is justice denied.”, she added. The Foundation targets to affect the child positively and guide them through the path to achievement, fulfilment and happiness regardless of the socio – economic situation of the family”
Speaking, Chairman Board of Trustees, Mr Felix Awogu who lamented that the poor implementation of Child Rights Act across the nation said there is need to entrust the handling of child sexual violation in the hands of experienced men and women and institute disciplinary measures for those who lose case files or caught in other unprofessional conducts.
Vanguard Nigeria
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