By Joseph .C. Matthew
It is a good thing to start your life with a small number of really good books which are your very own.” – Arthur Coman Doyle
Life is an intrinsic gift. As with all gifts, it is our responsibility to care, protect and nurture it to fulfillment and this process includes critical stages of integral development that cannot be taken for granted. Science has proven that the most important phase of life is the first few years when we are children; this is the stage when the brain grows really fast – faster than other times in our life. During this phase of life, the human brain makes more than 1 million new connections every second. This is indeed a miracle of nature.
It is believed that in this first phase of life, more than 80 per cent of the brain is formed. It is at this phase that children develop their personality, develop feelings, begin to conceptualize a world view based on their environment, and start to build relationships. It is also at this stage that all human beings are most vulnerable, as any alteration in the proper development process can permanently affect the life of a person. This is the stage when exposure to any form of abuse, especially child sexual abuse, affects a child’s mental health and wellbeing.
Statistically, the average age of sexually abused victims is 8 years old, and data provided by UNICEF states that every year millions of boys and girls across the world face sexual abuse and exploitation. According to the world body, at least 120 million girls under the age of 20 years – about 1 in 10 – have been forced to engage in sex or perform other sexual acts. Although the figures are obviously higher, many victims of sexual abuse including millions of boys never tell anyone. Children are most at risk at their homes, schools and local communities, often victims of perpetrators who are people they know or trust.
According to research, sexual violence results in severe physical, psychological and social harm. Victims are exposed to an increased risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, pain, illness, unwanted pregnancy, social isolation and psychological trauma. As child victims grow, they often resort to substance abuse or wrist cutting to cope with the trauma. Also as child victims reach adulthood, sexual violence can reduce their ability to care for themselves and others, and often times they become perpetrators of sexual violence themselves thus repeating this cycle of trauma.
Early childhood education on body parts and setting boundaries will better prepare children to build a solid defense to combatting child sexual abuse. An aware child is a safer child, as children who have been educated on what to do and steps to take, especially about sexual abuse, are less likely to be victimized. As responsible adults, parents and other care givers must ensure that children are taught using methodologies similar to those with which educators dispense other safety information, and child friendly books are an important tool.
The introduction of age appropriate sex education books and an improved sex education curriculum, will promote the acquisition of knowledge needed by children to overcome this societal menace. Parents are encouraged to purchase child-friendly books on body parts and setting boundaries, and engage in meaningful conversations with their children on said topics either during family fun time or whilst reading bed time stories. According to that old Chinese proverb, “what I hear, I forget; what I see, I remember; what I do, I understand” – engaging and practically teaching children about key parts of their body and how to protect themselves, will keep our children safe and protect their future.
The society and those governing it must work with stakeholders to promote a culture of safety towards children. I am aware of the highly impactful work being carried out by The Cece Yara Foundation, under the leadership of the Founder Trustee Mrs. Bola Tinubu, and the repository of reading material being developed for the education of children across Nigeria. Mrs Bola Tinubu is set to launch her new children’s book titled BISI IS THE BOSS, which will facilitate critical conversations in a child-friendly manner. I have also learnt that another book is in the offing from The Cece Yara Foundation, which will also further strengthen the knowledge base of children on this important issue.
The Cece Yara Foundation and the Founder Trustee, Mrs. Bola Tinubu, is leading the literature development segment of this important sector of the society. Their effort to produce reading materials for children and also a functional curriculum for teaching sex education to children from ages 5 to 18 years is a testament to their innovative approach to curbing this menace to society. The Cece Yara Foundation, who pioneered the toll free child helpline for cases on child sexual abuse, has also established child advocacy centres in Lagos and Abuja to provide psycho-social support to victims of abuse, using state-of-the-art forensic interviews being managed by their team of expert counselors.
As members of the society, I urge us to understand that not only does introducing children to reading at an early age help to improve their literacy; it also empowers them with knowledge – one that might just be a lifeline for them someday. To achieve the society we deserve, one that is free from child sexual abuse, we must adequately make use of the tools and methodologies at our disposal to empower our children today. Personally, I am the sum total of knowledge and experience garnered through the years, from childhood to adulthood. These knowledge, and ignorance too, have been critical factors in my decision making process and this is a life system that is applicable to everyone out there.
A stitch in time saves nine. I am looking forward to playing a part in educating every child on the importance of setting boundaries and being vocal in reporting people who touch their private parts. For everyone who commits to join me in this move, one more child will be saved from the throes caused by child sexual abuse. I am a child rights and safety advocate; I hope you are one too.
It is not enough to be compassionate, we must act now.
