Child abuse is the act of maltreating a child intentionally by parents, caregivers or anyone (adult)(www.blueknot.org.au).
Though child abuse varies in manifestations, culture has been one of the perpetuating factors.
Child can be abused in various ways:
Emotional abuse: This occurs when the parent or the person responsible to train up a child failed to nurture the child and provide them with the love and protections they need. This emotional abuse comes when a child find his or herself in an environment where their development is deprived. www.psychologytoday.com
Physical Abuse: This is the infliction of bodily injury all in the name of disciplining a child intentionally. This is also an act of causing injury or trauma to a child intentionally. https://en.m.Wikipedia.org.
Sexual abuse: This is when a child is involved in sexual activity with an adult.
Child abuse is prevalent in our society today despite the laws and the campaign, the numbers of child abuse everyday is alarming.
According to www.pmnewsnigeria.com, 54 cases of sexual abuse reported in the first quarter of 2018 which is inclusive of girls of under ages 18 and 16.
It is no longer a hiding news that child abuse is a fight we must join hands together to eradicate from our society.
1. This is a call for Government, parents and society to arise to their responsibility of fighting this menace befalling our future leaders.
To the government, it is time to enforce all the laws necessary to protect the lives of these children, according to Child’s Right Act 2015; the best interest of a child is to be the paramount consideration in all actions www.lawnigeria.com.
Agencies like CAPTA 2016, Child warfare policy manual and also National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons ( NAPTIP). All these agencies should arise to their duty and ensure that from their own end this battle is won.
2. PARENTS are the first contact of every child in our society and they must be up and doing to train up their children in order to avert them from this killer of destiny(abuse). Many children depend on many adults as they grow up in life. Parents, relatives, teachers and child care workers should try all their best to give them love, support and guidance. No parent wants their children to grow up with fear, anger or neglect. www.papa.org
3. Society also has a great role to play in educating its members through various means like news, publications and sensitization within the neighbourhood. Every citizens must be ready to become an educator in propagating the campaign against child abuse. According to Harold lass Well (1945) "the role of a society through media is three viz;
Surveillance of environment, correlation of parts of the society, transmission of social heritage from one generation to another".
Wright (1975) adds the fourth role as entertainment, https://iproject.com.ng. From the above stated fact, it is clear that society has a vital role to play in disseminating information to every nuck and cranny of its coverage on war against child abuse.
This is a wake-up call from ODK FOUNDATION to eradicate a killer of the bright future of our children, this responsibility is not for one but all...
It is now clear that child abuse is a fight for all, let’s join hands together to bring down this evil in our society.
SAY NO TO CHILD ABUSE.
OdkFoundation is a Non Governmental Organisation with the passion of giving hope to the hopeless in the society, child girl, youth empowerment and more...
Visit our website www.odkfoundation.com.ng & our page on Facebook... @Odkfoundation
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