VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN AND CHILD PROTECTION IN UYO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA (2015-2020)

IBOK, SAMUEL BASSEY and Covenant University, Theses (2021) VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN AND CHILD PROTECTION IN UYO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA (2015-2020). Masters thesis, COVENANT UNIVERSITY.

PDF Download (172kB)

Abstract

Violence against children (VAC) is a violation of the rights of a child and is detrimental to the health of a child and has lasting effects. Since 2015, the Akwa Ibom State government has emphasised its commitment to policies and programs that encourage and protect the welfare of children. However, despite the growing condemnation of violence against children by the Akwa Ibom State government, children still experience physical and sexual violence in the State. Thus, the study examined Physical and Sexual Violence against Children and child protection in Uyo local government area, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria between 2015 and 2020. Also, the study focused on the socio-cultural and economic factors driving physical and sexual VAC in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. It examined the effects of physical and sexual VAC on the physical and psychological development of children, how underreporting fosters the prevalence of violence against children as well as the efforts made by the Akwa Ibom State government to protect children from violence. The study is anchored on the Social Bonding Theory which proposed that there are certain factors in the context of family life such as poverty can interfere with a parent’s ability to care for their children. The study adopted the qualitative research method and utilised the descriptive research design. For this study, primary data is retrieved through interviews and secondary data was retrieved from already-published works such as academic journals, books, newspapers, reports, and online materials. The study employed thematic analysis as the method of data analysis. Findings of the study revealed the conflict of cultural, and societal expectations with the rights of the child. Physical and Sexual VAC is a violation of Article 19, 34, and 35 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Similarly, the study observed that economic factors such as poverty expose children to violence. The study also found that underreporting of cases of VAC stems from fear of stigmatization, fear of being called a liar, lack of trust in the Nigerian Police Force, and the fact that parents keep silent when the perpetrator is a family member to protect the family’s name. The study revealed the ineffectiveness of government institutions in addressing violence against children. It is therefore recommended that the Akwa Ibom State Government should enlighten the indigenes and settlers especially parents on the negative effects of violence against children and the government should reinforce the Child Rights Act 2008, through legislation that will put in place punitive actions to be taken against offenders. Furthermore, an Inter-sectoral partnership between Non-Governmental Organizations, schools, civil society groups, and community-based organizations must be forged in the state to reinforce prevention strategies on violence against children in homes, schools, and religious centres, and provide a broader avenue for rehabilitation of victims of violence in the communities. The study concluded that the existing and situational evidence of the state of violence against children clearly shows the mismatch in the policy objectives of the Child Rights Act of 2003 and policy implementation.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Child abuse, child right, physical violence, sexual violence, underreporting
Subjects:	J Political Science > JA Political science (General) J Political Science > JZ International relations
Divisions:	Faculty of Law, Arts and Social Sciences > School of Social Sciences
Depositing User:	Mrs Hannah Akinwumi
Date Deposited:	18 Oct 2021 12:36
Last Modified:	18 Oct 2021 12:36
URI:	http://eprints.covenantuniversity.edu.ng/id/eprint/15386

Actions (login required)

View Item