CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

In Nigeria, Children’s Rights are protected by law and held sacred. Not only does the law protect the child, it also stipulates punishment for adults who take advantage of children or seek to negatively influence them. Specifically, the Nigerian constitution states that; “The law seeks to prevent cruelty against children while stating the rights and obligations of the Nigerian Child”, (Child Rights Act, 2003).

Child and adolescent sexual abuse (CSA) are a 21st-century reality, and it remains a cause for concern to parents, teachers, Government of nations as well as researchers all over the world. An annual estimation of 73 Million boys and 150 Million girls are involved in one form of sexual abuse or the other before their 18th birthday (East, Central and Southern African Health Community (ECSA_HC), 2011); bringing global prevalence rates between 3-17% in boys 8-31% in girls (Barth, Bermetz, Heim, Trelle & Tonia, 2013). This study adopts the definition of the United Nations Convention for the Rights of a Child (UNCRC, 2008), which identifies a child as any individual between birth and age 18. This age grouping accommodates both children and adolescents. In Nigeria, one in four girls and one in ten boys are said to be sexually abused before age 18 (UNICEF 2015).

The outcome of this reality plays out in the myriad of consequences the problem presents which include selfblame, anxiety, low self-esteem, low academic motivation, maladaptive behaviours, school dropout and even suicide, among others (Ali & Ali, 2014; Adigeb & Mbua 2015; Adeosun, 2015). When pupils and students who ought to be leaders of tomorrow continue to stand at risk of their future, it becomes a threat to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and that, should not be taken for granted.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child defines a child as a human being below the age of 18 years unless under the law applicable to the child (UN Convention, 1990). The U.S. Immigration Law, also describes a child as „anyone who is under the age of 21 (Child Status Protection Act). Biologically, a child is anyone between birth and puberty (World Health Organisation, 1999). Children across the world have laws that seek to protect and safeguard their rights and wellbeing. The 1989 United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child therefore sets international standards for child-care and protection. The convention seeks to ensure that children are treated humanely and fairly without distinction of any kind, such as race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, physical abilities and disabilities, national or social origin, property, birth or other status (UNICEF, 2007).

Specifically, the convention is centered on ensuring that a child has the right to life, survival and development, protection from violence, abuse or neglect, an education that enables the child to fulfill their potential, raised by, or have a relationship with parent, and a right to express their opinions. States have a duty to prohibit child prostitution, child pornography and the sale of children into slavery and lastly, a child has the right to report the violation of any of his right (Lansdown, 2011).

Child abuse is generally under reported due to lack of or delayed disclosure by the victims which may be as a result of the inability of the child to understand that the behavior is inappropriate or harmful, poor communication skills especially in the very young or disabled, feelings of guilt and shame by the victims or fear of the perpetuator. In addition to the stigma associated with child abuse, victims may also experience short and long-term adverse health effects of the abuse such as transmission of HIV and other STIs, unwanted pregnancy, obstructed labor. Child sexual abuse is also associated with high risk behaviors such as prostitution, multiple sexual partners and substance abuse. In Nigeria, child sexual abuse is also a very serious case. Studies have shown that the prevalence of child sexual abuse is often, not reported because of societal perspective to the issue (Duru C., Ederiana O. and Felix O. Akinbami F. 2014).

1. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Child sexual abuse is an important social problem worldwide which affects the physical, mental and psychological health of a child. It is defined as the involvement of a child in a sexual activity that he or she is not prepared for and cannot give consent to, or that violates the laws or social taboos of the society (Essabar, L., Khalqqllah, A., Dakhama, B. 2015). Child sexual abuse is also the sexual exploitation or victimization of a child by an adult, adolescent or older child (Cohen, J. 2007). Child sexual abuse is one of the most traumatizing forms of violence against children, usually committed by a person in a position of power and trust in the child’s life (International Rescue Committee, 2012). It usually involves coercion of the unsuspecting victim through trickery or bribery or it could be forceful; with acts ranging from rape to unwanted fondling. Sexual abuse also includes a range of behaviors including vaginal, anal or oral penetration and photographing a child for pornography. It may include physical contact (fondling a child's genitals, masturbation, oral-genital contact, and digital penetration, vaginal and anal intercourse) or noncontact abuse (exhibitionism, voyeurism, and child pornography). Other types of sexual abuses include; non-genital touching, genital touching and penetration. Statistics have shown that 95 percent of child sexual abuses go unreported because of fear of stigmatization and 90 percent of child abuse victims know their abuser (Department of Children and Youth Affairs, 2011).

The prevalence of child abuse has been difficult to ascertain due to many factors such as differing definitions and perceptions on what constitutes sexual abuse in children. Some studies use a narrow definition of child abuse to include contact abuse and intercourse only. Other authors classify some socio-cultural practices like child marriage and female genital cutting as forms of child abuse (Lalor, 2004; Olusanya et al., 1986).

In the light of the above, the study will try to investigate the relationship effect of child sexual abuse among females in Nigeria.

1. AIM AND OBJECTIVES

 The aim of this study will be to investigate the relationship effect of child sexual abuse among females in Nigeria.

Specifically, the study sought to:

1. Examine the prevalence factors of child sexual abuse among females
2. Ascertain the causes of child sexual abuse among females
3. Examine the negative effect of child sexual abuse among females
4. Provide ways and measures to curb and mitigate child sexual abuse among females in Nigeria

1. RESEARCH QUESTIONS

Sequel to the research objectives, the fol0owing research questions will be address in the study:

1. What are the prevalence factors of child sexual abuse among females?
2. What are the causes of child sexual abuse among females?
3. What is the negative effect of child sexual abuse among females?
4. What ways and measures can curb and mitigate child sexual abuse among females in Nigeria?

1. RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

H0 there is no relationship effect of child sexual abuse among females in Nigeria

H1 there is relationship effect of child sexual abuse among females in Nigeria

1. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This study comes at a time when all female children in Nigeria need freedom and justice to live without humiliation and abuse like every other persons in the society.

The study will help female children in Nigeria to know their right as a citizen of a given country. It will be as an eye opener to female children to know their left and right and also push to rise up and say no and stop to every form of sexual abuse.

Ultimately, the findings of the study will also help the policy makers of the State to come out with policies that will help the liberation of every female child from sexual abuse.

1. SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study is on child sexual abuse among females in Nigeria. The study is limited to only all the female children in the 36 states of the Federation.

It covers the factors responsible for the prevalence of female child sexual abuse, causes and negative effects of female child sexual abuse in Nigeria.

1. LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

TIME CONSTRAINTS: One the challenges experienced by the researcher is the issue of time; the research will simultaneously engage in departmental activities like seminars and attendance to lectures. But the researcher was able to meet up with the deadline for the submission of the project.

FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS: Every research work needs funding; however lack of adequate funds might affect the speed of the researcher in getting materials for completion of the project.

1.9 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Child

Biologically, a child (plural children) is a human being between the stages of birth and puberty, or between the developmental period of infancy and puberty.

Girl

A girl is a young female human, usually a child or an adolescent. When she becomes an adult, she is described as a woman. The term girl may also be used to mean a young woman,[1] and is sometimes used as a synonym for daughter.[2] Girl may also be a term of endearment used by an adult, usually a woman, to designate adult female friends.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse, also referred to as molestation, is abusive sexual behavior by one person upon another. It is often perpetrated using force or by taking advantage of another.[1] When force is immediate, of short duration, or infrequent, it is called sexual assault