Rising violence cases against children disturbing – UNICEF

The United Nations International Children and Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has described as “disturbing” the rising cases of violence against children in Nigeria. According to the global body, six out of 10 children experienced some form of violence before they clocked 18 years.

It made the disclosure in Calabar on Friday during a community sensitisation campaign on integrated child protection, in collaboration with the Cross River state Ministry of Humanity & Social Welfare, Nigerian Police and Child Protection Network, charged community leaders to take the protection of children as a priority so as to make the society a better place for all.

In a presentation, UNICEF Desk Officer in Cross River, Francis Egette, disclosed that the 2014 VAC Survey revealed that, “There is a high prevalence of VAC in Nigeria before the age of 18 years. Six out of 10 children experienced some form of violence; 50 per cent all children experienced physical violence; 1 out of 4 girls and 1 out of 10 boys experience sexual violence; 1 out of 6 girls and 1 out of 5 boys experienced emotional violence.”

Egette, who enumerated types of violence to include emotional abuse, physical abuse, neglect and sexual abuse, said, “One of the greatest needs of a child is protection from violence, and therefore charged community and religious leaders to sensitise their subjects and members on the evil and psychological effects of violence against a child, and possibly reports recalcitrant persons to the appropriate authorities.”

Also speaking, the clan head of Kasuk II Qua clan, Ntoe Ededem Ayito, restated the readiness of his Council to intensify campaign against violence against children.

He said incidences of child abuse would be thoroughly attended to and handed over to authorities, but urged government to ensure the implementation of child rights law and to punish culprits accordingly to serve as deterrence to others.

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