The need for protecting children from physical, emotional and psychological abuse and the right of the society to nuture them were talking points by Lagos State government recently
This conversation was held to prevent and curb the alarming rate of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence, SGBV, against children in the State.
Speaking at a webinar organised by the State Directorate of Citizens’ Rights, Ministry of Justice themed “Protecting the Rights of Children, Putting an End to Defilement and other types of Abuse,” was the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN.
Onigbanjo through the Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-Bey during the welcome address stated that children are the leaders of tomorrow and it is the right of the society to nuture and protect them.
He further revealed that the Directorate for Citizens’ Rights through its statutory functions ensures the protection and enforcement of the fundamental human rights of Lagos State residents stressing that the ‘One Stop Child Justice Centre’ initiative of the directorate handles all child-related matters (in collaboration with other MDAs) in Lagos State, thereby protecting the rights of children as provided under the Child Rights Law of Lagos State, 2015.
Onigbanjo expressed optimism that the seminar will serve as a wake-up call to all stakeholders and the general public on Child Protection laws and invariably curb the menace of abuse, violence, exploitation and neglect of children.
Also, an Associate Professor, Department of Public Law, Faculty of Law, UNILAG, Dr. Iyabode Ogunniran stated that violence against women and girls is one of the most prevalent human rights violation in the world as it knows no social, economic or national boundaries.
While delivering a paper, themed “Defilement: Prevention, Legal Framework and Institutional Mechanism in Lagos State,” Dr. Ogunniran stressed that one in four girls and one in 10 boys experience all forms of sexual violence before the age of 18.
She stated that some of the adverse effects of sexual violence includes shock, fear, anxiety, functional impairment, depression, distrust in others, social isolation, behavioural problems amongst others.
Speaking further, she said that preventive measures can be taken through collaboration and joint efforts of Community Heads, Religious Organisations, Community Groups and Educational Institutions whereby a code of conduct that prohibits SGBV is adopted.
According to the presentation titled “Strategies of the Lagos State Government in Curbing Defilement and Way Forward,” from the Director of the Office of Public Defender, Dr. Babajide Martins stated that likely perpetrators are usually family members, religious leaders, neighbours and rarely strangers.
“Lagos State Government has zero tolerance for Gender Based Violence especially when it involves children, hence the legal framework that has been put in place to prevent, curb and prosecute offenders which includes a policy to make it mandatory for everyone who has contact with a child is to report any suspected child abuse or violence against a child through the Attorney-General of the State and failure to report has its consequences as they may be subject to civil and criminal liabilities.”
Dr. Martins further said that Section 370 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law, ACJL 2021, mandates the State to establish a crime data register also known as the Lagos Criminal Information System.
He explained that the register contains information of suspects and offenders either convicted or awaiting trial and would also serve as criminal record database, wherein, organisations and employers in the State may apply to obtain criminal records in order to forestall employing a sex offender into an organisation.
He listed that the Domestic and Violence Agency, DSVA, Nigeria Police Force, NPF, Office of the Public Defender, OPD, and Medical/Health Care Centres are first responders of SGBV in the State.
The Executive Secretary DSVA, Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, commended the ‘One Child Justice Centre’ initiative of the Directorate of Citizens Rights.
She also said that the collated results on the research made on convicted inmates revealed that violent sexual act were mostly perpetrated while under influence of alcohol, hard drugs and online pornography.
She said, “80.9 percent of the inmates said they were sexually abused and became sexually active before turning 18.”
Vivour-Adeniyi added that the agency in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, frequently embark on sensitising the girl-child including boys, on SGBV programs across the State.
Children Human Rights Expert and Social Development Attorney, Mr. Taiwo Akinlami, gave tips on how to identify children who are sexually abused.
She said they would show sudden changes in behaviour or school performance, adding that they exhibit inappropriately seductive behaviour and sophisticated knowledge or interested in sexual activity, perpetrate sexual activity with another child, particularly a younger or more vulnerable child.
Highlighting further, “Physical indicators of a child defiled or molested by family members or guardian includes; difficulty walking or sitting, sudden weight change, frequent stomach complaints, headache, sudden refusal to change clothes at the gym or to participate in physical activities, frequent urinary or yeast infections not explained by medical condition or treatment, getting pregnant or contacting a venereal disease.”
She mentioned some indicators to look out for in adolescents which are; self-destruction, promiscuity, drug or alcohol abuse, self mutilation or suicide attempts, eating disorder and possibly become a runaway.
Mrs. Oluwatoyin Odunsanya, Director of Citizens’ Rights in her closing remarks, appreciated the guest speakers and participants, including the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba, who was represented by Hon. Justice Oshodi, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education, Mr. Bolaji Abayomi, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Oluyemi Kalesanwo represented by Mrs. Oluwatoyin Olorunfemi, for their attendance and participation.
She urged parents, teachers and care-givers to engage their wards in sex education with their wards adding that ignorance is a basic tool that perpetrators use to abuse children.
