INTERVENTION: NGO Strengthens Children Awareness, Reactions On Child Sexual Abuse

A non governmental and not for profit making organisation in Lagos SmileandShine Children’s Foundation on Saturday last weekend organised a sensitisation program for children between the ages of 2 and 18 to strengthen their awareness on child sexual abuse, so they can make informed decisions when they see a red flag.

The Founder of SmileandShine Children’s Foundation, Dr Nimi Ekere, a child advocate, author, Consultant and Family Physician said, “a lot of times, children are afraid to speak up because they have been threatened or gratified with gifts and money by an abuser. This abuse according to her leaves terrible physical, medical, psychological and social effects on the children which usually linger into adulthood.”

Nimi said Studies have shown that the prevalence of Child Sexual Abuse can be reduced by 95% by educating children adequately, hence the sensitisation exercise of over 100 children in Lagos was hinged on this premise.

“The essence of today’s sensitization on child sexual abuse, child protection and building an effective parent-child relationship is to ensure that the children know what sexual abuse is, how to recognise the red flags and what to do in the event of an abuse. A lot of times, children are afraid to speak up because they have been threatened or gratified with gifts and money by the abuser.

“Child Sexual Abuse is very common in our society and it leaves terrible physical, medical, psychological and social effects on the children which usually linger into adulthood. We must work together to save our children from Sexual Predators. We must ensure that children are protected at all levels. And it doesn’t matter if the child is not biologically yours, you deserve to protect them like you would protect yours.
Every Child that has been molested need help and our NGO can help”.

Nimi also said cultural beliefs and poverty are monsters that must be fought to a stand still if the fight against child sexual abuse would ever see the light of the day.

“How do you convince a mother that her child who is less than 18 years old is not yet an adult even when she looks like one? How do you tell a parent to open up about an abuse and cooperate with you as you seek justice for the victim without looking like a home breaker, knowing that the abuser is the father or step father?

“Poverty is also a problem in our society. A family whose child is molested comes to you that they don’t want to carry on with the case anymore and you find out that they have been given a paltry sum of N100,000 by the abuser who obviously may be richer with more power and influence.

“I appreciate Lagos State Government for the part they have been playing so far in supporting us to fight the monster. I feel the Government can still do more. A lot of what we do is from our personal funds and little support from friends and family. A lot of services have to be paid for including volunteering. It can be overwhelming sometimes, in fact a lot of times, when you don’t have enough resources and funds to work with.

“In line with our vision of making Nigeria the safest place to raise a child, we intend to combat or significantly reduce the prevalence of Child Sexual Abuse in our society which is exponentially high, sadly and ironically occurring in places where children should otherwise feel safe and from people that are close and supposed to be trusted. With our consistent interventions, we hope children would be protected and safe from predators no matter how disguised they appear.