NAN-HG-10
Children
By Olasunkanmi Onifade
Abuja, Dec. 12, 2017 (NAN) Relevant Agencies and Non Government Organisations (NGOs) have been called upon to do all within their powers to break the stereotypes that promote sexual offences against children.
Mrs Chinyere Eyoh, the Chief Executive Officer, Sexual Offences Awareness and Victims Rehabilitation (SOAR), made the call on Tuesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
Eyoh spoke on the sidelines of a workshop with the theme: “Securing Justice and Support for Sexually Abused Children in FCT”, for Network of Civil Society Organisations against Child Trafficking, Abuse and Labour (NACTAL).
“Stereotypes about sexual abuse and violence are harmful because they lead to victims blaming and dismissing or minimising a person’s experience.
“This stereotypes can also intensity a survivors shame and guilt, increase their feeling of isolation and make it less likely to receive help.
“It does not have anything to do with the way we dress, or where the person went. Each of us has control over our own self and we can choose how we respond to situation.”
She however advised that law enforcement and relevant agencies should be properly trained on how to handle children sexual cases.
She said that civil societies must rise up to the responsibility of protecting the rights of children.
Eyoh called on schools to have child protection policies which would provide guideline for their staff in order to create safe environment for children.
She said the child right policies would protect both the child and the staff as it would clearly define what action would be required to keep children safe and ensuring consistency of behaviour.
Mr Kolawole Olatosimi, the Coordinator, Child and Youth Protection Foundation, called for more advocacy for state government that were yet to domesticate Child Right Act to comply.
He said that the training of the NGOs was to build their capacity on child protection, saying they had passion for children but some lacked experience.
The Executive Director, HOPE-AID Organisation, Mrs Ruth Ataguba said that there was need for multi-sectoral approach in dealing with issues concerning children.
Ataguba said that government, relevant agencies, NGOs had significant role to play in protecting the right of children in the society.
He said that consistent implementation of laws would eradicate child sexual abuse.
One of the participants, Mrs Maureen Amaechi, told NAN that the workshop would improve their knowledge on child protection and how to handle cases of child sexual abuse.(NAN)
OEO/BOLA/GY
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Edited by Bola Akingbehin/Grace Yussuf