DAY 03 OF THE 30 DAYS CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
In commemoration of the World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse – November 19
Brought to you by the Centre for Total Child Development (CTCD)

WHAT IS CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION

Definition of child sexual abuse and exploitation

Child sexual abuse and exploitation is a global phenomenon. It exists in every culture regardless of how rich or poor or what beliefs they have. Child sexual abuse and exploitation is often both predictable and preventable.

Sexual Abuse includes all forms of sexual violence including incest, early and forced marriage, rape, involvement in pornography, and sexual slavery. Child sexual abuse includes indecent touching, penetration and sexual torture, as well as indecent exposure, using sexually explicit language towards a child and showing children pornographic material.

All forms of sexual abuse and exploitation are included under the general definition of child sexual abuse. Child sexual abuse refers to the immediate abusive act towards a child and is the basis of the exploitation of the child. The legal age of consent (18 years) defines when a child is regarded mature enough to consent to mutually desired sexual relations.

People sexually abusing children may have an emotional or professional relationship with the child, where they exploit their position of trust and power. This is why sexual abuse is considered a particularly difficult problem in that most cases occur within the family or are committed by people known by the child. Children may also however, be sexually abused or exploited by abusers or third parties having a commercial or other exploitative interest in the child.

Sexual exploitation: the abuse of a position of vulnerability, differential power, or trust for sexual purposes; this includes profiting monetarily, socially or politically from the exploitation of another as well as personal sexual gratification. Examples include: child prostitution, trafficking of children for sexual abuse and exploitation, child pornography, sexual slavery.

Neither sexual abuse of children nor sexual exploitation of children is limited to specific situations or circumstances. Rather each affects children in all countries and is found at all levels of society. Some children at particular risk are children in the street, children in armed conflict, children working as domestics, displaced children, children with disabilities, children in institutions and children in detention.

Impact of sexual abuse and exploitation

Sexual abuse and exploitation usually have a devastating effect on the physical and mental health of children, and also on their families and communities.

Individual impact: the effects of sexual exploitation on the individual child can be profound, and can be experienced on several levels:
• physical consequences can include genital injury, sexually transmitted diseases and the contraction of HIV/AIDS. There is evidence that adolescent girls are more likely to contract HIV from a single sexual contact than are adult women. Unwanted pregnancy can have further consequences including, for example, stigmatisation and unsafe abortions;
• emotional consequences can include the distress of violent exploitation. In some societies, a sense of shame at having been violated, and especially if pregnancy results, can have severe consequences for the child;
• social consequences can include ostracism by the family or community - especially if the child is disbelieved or blamed for what has happened. In some cultures, sexual exploitation will have a negative impact on the child’s chances of marrying;
• secondary trauma can result if the incident is handled insensitively. Examples include aggressive interviewing of the child (e.g. by the police), insensitive medical examination, or those in authority disbelieving the child or even blaming him/her for the incident. These can all inflict further trauma.

Myths and facts about child sexual abuse

Myths: Child abuse is carried out by strangers.
Fact: Research indicates that 90% of abuse is from domestic causes and is committed by individuals known to the child (parents, siblings, relatives, neighbours, teachers, caregivers, house help, playmates etc). Only 10% of reported cases of child sexual abuse is committed by strangers.

Myth: Child sexual abuse is a serious problem, but affects only a small number of people.
Fact: Research shows that child sexual abuse is a widespread problem, especially in the case of minors.

Myth: Children who are victims of sexual abuse will suffer the effects of this trauma for the rest of their lives.
Fact: Sexual abuse can have serious short and long term consequences for children who have been victimized, but certain conditions, such as the support of family and friends, are known to help victims cope.

Myth: Many children make up stories of sexual abuse, as shown by the fact that many charges result in an acquittal
Fact: It is rare that children deliberately make false allegations of sexual abuse. In addition, since the burden of proof lies with the prosecution, an acquittal in the course of judicial proceedings does not necessarily mean that a crime has not been committed or that a victim has made untruthful accusations.

Myth: Individuals who commit sexual abuse against children are pedophiles.
Fact: The term “pedophile” is often mistakenly used in the general population to refer to any person who sexually abuses children, whereas, in reality, only a minority of perpetrators of child sexual abuse meet the diagnostic criteria of pedophilia. Majority of people who are not pedophiles also abuse children sexually.

Myth: Males who are sexually abused as children will commit sexual assault when they reach adulthood.
Fact: Even thou about 25% of perpetrators of sexual assault were victimized as children, most victims of child sexual abuse will not go on to commit sexual assault themselves.

Myth: Child abuse is a matter of culture; physical or sexual abuse falls within the norms of some cultures and is acceptable.
Fact: The reality is that there no excuse for child abuse! No culture supports harming children.

Myth: Child abuse is a result of poverty and happens in low socioeconomic circumstances.
Fact: Research indicates that child abuse occurs in all racial, ethnic, socio-economic, and cultural sectors of society.




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If you know any child that is going through any form of child abuse please help the child to get help by reporting the abuse to the appropriate authority. CHILD ABUSE is all forms of physical and/or emotional maltreatment, sexual abuse, neglect, commercial or other exploitation of a child resulting in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, survival, development or dignity.

In all actions concerning the child, his or her best interest and well-being must be given paramount consideration.

The use of a child for the purpose of begging for alms, prostitution, domestic or sexual labour, as a slave or practices similar to slavery, forced or compulsory labour or for any purpose that deprives the child of the opportunity to attend and remain in school is a crime and it attracts imprisonment for a term of 10 years.

Employing any person under 18 years as domestic help outside his home or family environment is a crime that attracts 5 years imprisonment.

Anybody who has sexual intercourse with a child less than 18 years will be convicted to imprisonment for life.

Exposing or involving a child in the use of narcotic drugs or psychotropic substances is an offence liable to life imprisonment.

Every form of child abuse is a serious offence that is punishable by the law. Every child has the right to be free from every form of abuse.

Report any cases of child abuse to the Nigerian Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), National Agency for Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), your state Ministry of Women and Children Affairs or any NGO (Non-governmental Organisation) that advocates for the rights of children. If you notice any form of child abuse and you do not report, you are as guilty as the person committing the crime. Let’s join our hands to make the world a better place for children to live and grow.

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The Centre for Total Child Development, Ibadan cordially invites you to her 2021 ANNUAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION CONFERENCE and the Child Development in Nigeria Merit Award

THEME: Protecting Children, Promoting Healthy Families and Preserving Communities

FEATURES: Plenary Sessions | Workshops | Skill Seminars | Walk Against Child Abuse | Inter-School Child Abuse Awareness Competition | Award Presentations & Prize Giving

DATE: 19th and 20th November, 2021

VENUE: Oyesina Hall, Oke Bola, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria

TIME: 9.00am prompt

PARTICIPANT: Students in secondary schools, voluntary organisations, religious institutions and orphanage homes, teachers, parents, children workers, and other stakeholders

ATTENDANCE: Attendance is FREE but registration is a MUST. To register please call/sms/whatsapp: 08180495451 or send email to emailtotalchild@gmail.com

SPONSORS & VOLUNTEERS ARE WELCOME

If you are interested in what we do, you can get involved in 3 ways:
1. Volunteer Partner: Join our vibrant team of volunteers to administer support to the children and young people coming for the Conference.
2. Resource Partner: Donate academic materials, products and other gift items to be given freely to the children and young people coming for the conference. You can also donate materials, equipment and facilities to support our cause.
3. Financial Partner: Donate fund to help us execute this Conference
For more information please contact:

CENTRE FOR TOTAL CHILD DEVELOPMENT
18, Anfani Road, Off Ring Road, Challenge, Ibadan
www.facebook.com/totalchilddev
www.instagram.com/totalchildev
Tel: 08180495451; 08101809463