Child Sexual Abuse


Child Sexual Abuse

 The offence of defilement is an issue which has been given less concern in our society today and treated with reckless abandon. Notwithstanding the various law enactments by various states to protect the interest of a child, the record of defilement cases has become so alarming that it has become a daily occurrence in our society.
Defilement of children (both males and females) by adults is another evil making trend in daylight. In the course of discussing with a friend, she informed me of a current matter she's handling involving defilement of children, aged 3, 4 and 6 years respectively by a 40 years old man who apparently fingered one, used his tongue on the other and actually penetrated the last one. I wondered, isn't extra marital affair a lesser evil than being a pedophile.

Defilement of children also known as child sexual abuse can occur anywhere for instance: in the school, at home by relatives, helps, family friends and sadly in church. Parents while entrusting their children in the care of others should look out and pay close attention to the signs.
Also, as early as possible, teach the child that his or her sexual organs are private as such, nobody should touch or play with them. They should report immediately someone touches them down there.
NOTE: They are not too young to be taught.

Irrespective of all the provisions of laws prohibiting and punishing defilement of a child, the increased rate of the offence in our society today points to the fact that the measures set out for curbing such offence are not adequate.

First of all, the triviality of the issue of defilement of a child can be seen from the provision of the law in s.218 Criminal Code Act which provides that cases of defilement of a child must be commenced within two (2) months from the time the offence was committed.
The question is… Why should a serious offence as defilement be statute barred after two months of its committal? This is an aspect of our laws earnestly yearning for a review.

Though justice is deemed obtained when the culprit is brought to book, parents, guardians and the society at large should endeavor to remember the victim (the child). Such molestation is hardly forgotten, it sticks to a part of the child's mind and has a probability manifesting negatively in future. Victims of child sexual abuse attempt numerous efforts to psychologically escape from the abuse (e.g. avoidance, attempts at memory repression, distraction, addictive behaviors)
Childhood sexual abuse has been correlated with higher levels of depression, guilt, shame, self-blame, eating disorders, somatic concerns, anxiety, dissociative patterns, repression, denial, sexual problems, relationship problems and trauma.



In such situations, the need for psychotherapy and counselling sections for the child cannot be over emphasized. This aspect of emotional healing, a lot of sexually abused children don't get, because parents don't deem it important enough.  I know persons who have grown to dislike relations with the opposite gender or even same gender because of the trauma experienced as a child.
Weeks ago, a woman who's daughter was defiled informed my group that, catching the culprit and giving him a stern warning was more important to her than counselling the 5 year old whom that was the third time she was sexually molested.

In conclusion, Nigerians should understand the importance of treating a sexually abused child. The gradual emotional healing process enormously benefits the child in the long run.

Together Let's stop Child Abuse
Protect the future generation.








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