By Olaitan Oye-Adeitan
It is heart rendering that children are suffering unjustly and rather than the trend becoming unabated, it is assuming a more worrisome dimension.
Tragically, these innocent lives who should be surrounded by love, care and protection, instead suffer all manners of abuses in the hands of those entrusted with their care.
The case of a female teacher at a private school at Ikorodu, Lagos, Stella Nwadigo, who repeatedly slapped a three-year-old pupil, Abayomi Michael, for failing to write the number six as instructed cannot be hurriedly forgotten.It is good justice is taking its cause due to her arrest.
What about a middle-aged woman at Araromi Obada Oko, identified as Odeale Fatimah who was also arrested for using a razor blade to inflict deep wounds on ten-year-old boy Olasunkanmi Oluwadamilara over allegations of theft of six hundred naira.
In a shocking incident outside Nigeria, an Australian social media influencer was also accused of poisoning her own baby girl to garner donations and increase her online presence.Imagine!
The escalating rate of crimes against children is becoming increasingly unacceptable and has reached a tipping point,where immediate action is necessary.”
The World Health Organization,WHO, defines child maltreatment as the abuse and neglect that occurs to children under 18 years of age. It includes all types of physical and/or emotional ill-treatment, sexual abuse, neglect, negligence and commercial or other exploitation, which results in actual or potential harm to the child’s health, survival, development or dignity in the context of a relationship of responsibility, trust or power.
Worrying statistics reveal that 60% of children under 5 are physically or emotionally abused by parents or caregivers, while 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men have experienced childhood sexual abuse.
Sadly, child maltreatment is frequently concealed, and only few gets support and justice.It’s commendable that justice is being served in recent cases, but we mustn’t forget the countless victims whose ordeals are ignored, and left to endure trauma, injury, or even death in silence.”
Child maltreatment can have far-reaching and devastating consequences, leading to a range of developmental, health, learning difficulties, social struggles, depression, aggression.
The long-term effects of childhood trauma can persist into adulthood, increasing the likelihood of developing mental health disorders, struggling with addiction, experiencing chronic illness, and facing economic instability.”
As they mature into adulthood, victims of childhood maltreatment remain vulnerable to a range of challenges, including psychiatric disorders, substance abuse, chronic health conditions, and reduced economic prospects.(National Research Council, USA),
We therefore, cannot remain passive observers while the future of these innocent children are ravaged by maltreatment. We must intervene and act!
While children atimes cannot but display some naughtiness, discipline should be corrective and not destructive.
As much as possible, avoid hitting any child on sensitive parts such as the eyes, face, ears, head, chest, stomach.These are no go areas to touch while scolding a child for any injury to these parts may be irrepairable.
Be it also known that children, according to Scriptures are the heritage from the Lord, making them precious gifts from God.
Consequently, any form of abuse or maltreatment towards them is a direct affront to God Himself.
Be mindful how you treat children for you never can tell, the child you abuse today might be the very one who comes to your rescue tomorrow.
Interestingly, you may not recognize that child because he would have grown too but it is certain, he will.
