TEENSED FOUNDATION TAKES THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE/ MOLESTATION TO THE STREETS OF LAGOS.

- BANNERS, FLIERS, STICKERS, T-SHIRTS PRINTED TO DRIVE HOME THE MESSAGE.

©Agba Esther Makuochukwu

The monster of child sexual abuse, also called child molestation, which have pervaded our society today, is a form of child abuse where an adult or older adolescent uses a child for sexual stimulation/gratification. These adults take advantage of these unsuspecting children through engaging in sexual activities with the child, whether by asking or pressuring, cajoling /tricking or by other means including indecent exposure of a child's/an adolescent's private body parts. Child sexual abuse can occur in a variety of settings, including home, school, or work (in places like Africa, where child labour is common).

Child marriage is one of the main forms of child sexual abuse. UNICEF has stated that child marriage represents perhaps the most prevalent form of sexual abuse and exploitation of girls. Africa is first in this regard. The American Psychological Association states that "children cannot consent to sexual activity with adults", and condemns any such action by an adult. So, an adult who engages in sexual activity with a child is performing a criminal and immoral act which can never be considered normal or a socially acceptable behaviour.

In the light of the foregoing, on the 28th April, 2018, Mrs Ogechukwu Ezeokoli, the founder of TEENSED FOUNDATION, mobilised the rally against this ugly trend around the major and adjoining streets on the Lagos mainland axis. Ejibo and it's environs including inside Ejigbo Market were properly combed. Through a stint of hardwork, Mrs. Ezeokoli is poised to actualize the aims and objectives of setting up the foundation and this move is one of them. Banners, fliers, T-shirts were produced for this noble initiative. The aim of organizing the awareness march against child sexual abuse is in furtherance of an enlightenment programme by the foundation as to the shades and colours these abuses wear.

Most sexual abuse offenders are acquainted with their victims. Most are relatives of the child - brothers, fathers, uncles, or cousins. Others are acquaintances, such as friends of the family, babysitters, neighbours, housekeepers, drivers etc. Abuse by strangers are often minimal. Adult males abuse male(homosexual) and female children. Adult females abuse female (homosexual) and male children too. So, no particular sex is left out. Perverts are everywhere.

In the words of the founder, Mrs Ezeokoli "We are here to let the parents know that they have a huge responsibility in protecting their children from abuse through proper and early sex education. We are telling them that sex education is as simple as teaching children from a very tender age to call every part of the body it's proper names. Help children know safe circles and set boundaries.

"I can say that there are several reasons for the high rate of sexual abuse, though not excusable. It ranges from ignorance, carelessness, societal negligence, cultural beliefs, lack of proper counselling of the abused and the abuser etc. Most parents don't start on time to talk about sex in the home so we have met children who were sexually abused without knowing that what happened to them is called sexual abuse, therefore they don't even have the need to report. Some who know cannot approach their parents because the parents may blame them, beat them or not even believe them at all, mainly due to the person involved (in the case of father, religious leader, very close friend or a respected person in the society).

"Most schools and organisations that deal with children don't have child protection policy guiding all stakeholders. Lagos State is doing quite a lot and always willing to partner with organisations to fight abuses like the DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE RESPONSE TEAM. They partnered with us and supported us in providing some informative materials that we are sharing to the public but most states are not doing much in terms of awareness and child protection"

When asked about her advice to the parents, government and the victims of such molestation, she said: "Our advice to parents is to create a loving and conducive environment at home for discussion of anything. They should be their children's best friends who the children can ask any question and they must be honest with the children. The parents must be intuitive and be careful who they bring into their homes and where they send their children to. In case any child is sexually abused by whoever, parents should know that the wellbeing of that child is more important than any other thing; so they must seek professional counseling for that child.

"The Government should always enforce the law when such happens and even in the midst of the punishment, provide apportunity for the perpetrator to be counseled. The victim should always know that it is not his or her fault. They should report any such incidence without wasting time, seek counsel and healing from within."

The effects of child sexual abuse are multifaceted. They are and not limited to depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, anxiety, complex post-traumatic stress disorder, propensity to further victimization in adulthood and physical injury to the child, amongst other problems. Sexual abuse by a family member is a form of incest and can lead to more serious and long-term psychological trauma, especially in the case of parental incest.