NAN-H-98
Children
By Tinuade Adeshiyan
Lagos, March 23, 2017 (NAN) Mrs Bola Tinubu, the convener of Cece Yara Foundation, on Thursday in Lagos revealed that only four per cent of girls and two per cent of boys receive help after experiencing sexual violence.
She gave the report on the sidelines of the inauguration of the Cece Yara Foundation, a Child Advocacy Centre which is the first of its kind in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Cece Yara Foundation is a child-centred non-profit organisation aimed at preventing sexual abuse in children to promote safe childhood, access to care and information.
It also provides protection and emergency intervention for children who are sexually abused or at risk, and their non-offending family members.
Tinubu said that 784, 413 children in Lagos State experienced sexual abuse every year and this comes down to 65,367 children monthly, and 2,149 children daily experiencing sexual abuse in Lagos alone.
“Shockingly, from statistics, I learned that one in four girls and one in six boys will be sexually abused before they reach the age of 18 in Nigeria.
“As a response to these alarming figures, the establishment of the Cece Yara Foundation has been a major breakthrough in the fight against child exploitation and sexual abuse.
“To put it in perspective, we looked at the official statistics available, and we calculated that it is a call for every one of us to stand up to put an end to such.
“This foundation will provide a safe, warm, non-threatening and a fully child-focused environment for children to make disclosures, stop the abuse and get the help they need,’’ she said.
NAN reports that the Cece Yara Foundation was the first to have a Child Helpline (CHL) 0800 8008001, which is the first free Child Helpline in Nigeria.
Tinubu said that with the CHL, children will now have a safe space to be listened to, obtain advice and support, and in many cases, to be rescued.
“The centre consists of a calming room, which is private and serene with toys, games, computers and age-appropriate furniture, to encourage safe play and provide a sense of comfort for such children.
“It also has a forensic interviewing room designed to promote a friendly and non-threatening environment, where a child can make disclosures.
“An observation room where stakeholders such as the child advocate, police, child psychologist and medical personnel have the opportunity to observe an on
going forensic interview for such children,’’ Tinubu said.
She also said that there would be trained, friendly and competent counsellors who are always ready and willing to offer support and advice to children who call their helpline.
Also speaking, the Coordinator of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT), Mrs Titilola Vivour Adeniyi, said that the centre will complement the effort of the state in tackling sexual and gender-based violence.
“Ultimately, the centre will provide psychological assistance for survivors of sexual abuse in children, which would complement the efforts of the state government.
“Asides from prosecutorial and social services provided by the government, the centre would be instrumental as a safe haven for children to receive follow up services and care,’’ she said.
Meanwhile, Lagos State , Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, has vowed to have zero tolerance and punish severely, perpetrators of sexual and domestic violence against women and children. (NAN)
TAL/FF/PIO
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(Edited by Fela Fashoro/Idonije Obakhedo)