WOMEN’S AWARENESS OF CHILD ABUSE IN ILASAMAJA COMMUNITY OF MUSHIN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

The nation's present and future are contingent upon the contributions of children. The foundation of a nation is comprised of children. Healthy children develop into healthy adults who possess the requisite emotional poise and physical fortitude to be productive members of society and make a meaningful contribution to the nation-building process. The childhood period should be a carefree period of life, characterised by love, the exploration of new worlds, and the satisfaction of mastering oneself and the environment. This is a goal for numerous children, not a reality (Ramez, Widom, Browne, Fergusson, Webb & Sinow 2019). 

The most significant social issue on a global scale is child maltreatment. The incidence of child maltreatment is on the rise in both urban and rural areas of India. In young children, it is frequently observed.Two Child abuse or maltreatment is defined as "all forms of physical and/or emotional illtreatment, sexual abuse, neglect or negligent treatment, or commercial or other exploitation that result 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" (WHO 2014). This may encompass the use of extreme and unusual forms of punishment by parents or carers, such as the prolonged confinement of a child in a closet or dark room, the tying of a child to a chair, or the threat or terrorization of a child.. 

Despite the lack of dependable global estimates for the prevalence of it, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, a variety of international studies have shown that approximately 20% of women and 5–10% of men report experiencing sexual abuse as children, while 25–50% of all children report experiencing physical abuse (Obekpa, 2001). In 2006, a United Nations report disclosed alarming statistics regarding child maltreatment in Australia. It is estimated that up to 600,000 Australian children have been abused out of the approximately 4 million population under the age of 14 years. In 2013, the Asian Centre for Human Rights reported that sexual offences against children in India have reached epidemic proportions, as stated in the report "Child Sexual Assault in Juvenile Justice Homes." The report cited a 336% increase in the number of child rape cases in India from 2001 (2,113 cases) to 2011 (7,112 cases) and that over 48,000 child rape cases were recorded from 2001 to 2011 (McCoy and Keen 2018). 

Child sexual abuse can take place in a variety of settings, such as the household, school, or workplace. The majority of child maltreatment takes place within the family. Risk factors include a parental history of childhood abuse, domestic violence, family issues, work frustration, one-parent children, and fractured families. In families that are impoverished and among young parents who are drug or alcohol abusers, child neglect and maltreatment are also more prevalent. While it is undoubtedly accurate that child abuse can occur outside of the home, the majority of the time, children are abused by a carer or someone they know, rather than a stranger (Crosson, 2018.). 

It is imperative to acknowledge that child sexual abuse has a profound impact on the physical and psychological well-being and development of children throughout their lives, as it is currently at an all-time high. In order to effectively prevent child sexual abuse, it is imperative that parents and other family members are actively engaged in child protection practices (Crosson, 2018). 

The findings of the Study on Child Abuse conducted by the Government of Nigeria (UNICEF) suggest that a significant number of children in Nigeria are not even secure in their homes. Research indicates that the incidence of child maltreatment is significantly lower among children who attend school than among those who do not. Consequently, in order to reduce the incidence of abuse, it is imperative to ensure that all students attend school and that the school environment is safe, protective, and free of violence. Additionally, it is necessary to emphasise the importance of eliminating physical punishment. Consequently, it is the responsibility of all nursing professionals to identify and report cases of maltreatment. In the interim, it is the responsibility of every parent to identify the child's psychological and behavioural condition. Additionally, family members, particularly women, must pay attention to the child in the home [Onyango, 2023]. So here the researcher took interest to assess the level of awareness of child abuse among women resident in Ilasamaja Community Of Mushin Local Government Area.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Despite the ratification of the documents on child rights and the convention for the elimination of all forms of discrimination against children in Nigeria, the rights of children, child abuse, and discrimination against children continued to be violated in the country. Parents or adults impose a burden on children as a result of child abuse, which is a severe public health issue that occurs in variable numbers or magnitudes. The majority of adults frequently impose their desires on children without considering their emotions. This blatant imposition frequently instilled a great deal of dread in the minds of children. In the home, school, and society as a whole, children are subjected to the catastrophic repercussions of child maltreatment (Crosson, 2018). 

In accordance with Taylor and Steward (2021), certain children in the study area were assigned activities to complete at home by their parents or custodians. Some of these activities may be beyond the child's capacity, and some may even be completed early in the morning before preparing for school. Some students become less engaged in the classroom as a result of devoting a portion of their energy to home activities or morning hawking before attending school, while others continue to hawk promptly upon returning from school. As a result, the home activities and soliciting that parents or guardians have implemented for certain children in the study area place them at risk of being subjected to sexual abuse or a road accident. 

women are the primary carers of children in the family. According to Mba (2023), 90% of women were unable to identify the signs and symptoms of child maltreatment due to their lack of understanding of the term and their inadequate knowledge. women can safeguard their children from abuse and promptly identify it when it occurs if they possess sufficient awareness of child abuse. Therefore, it is feasible to mitigate numerous adverse effects on the mental and physical well-being of children. The objective of this investigation is to ascertain the degree of awareness that women possess regarding child maltreatment and to quantify the correlation between their levels of knowledge and specific variables. The results of this study may serve as a resource for nurses who are collaborating with women to provide them with information regarding various aspects of child maltreatment.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The main objective of this study is to assess the level of awareness of child abuse among women resident in Ilasamaja Community Of Mushin Local Government Area. Other objectives of this study are:

Assess the awareness of women's on the prevalence of child abuse in Ilasamaja Community Of Mushin Local Government Area.

Assess the awareness of women's on the causes of child abuse in Ilasamaja Community Of Mushin Local Government Area.

Assess the awareness of women's on the effect of child abuse in Ilasamaja Community Of Mushin Local Government Area.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions will be answered in this study:

What is the prevalence of child abuse in Ilasamaja Community Of Mushin Local Government Area?

What are the causes of child abuse in Ilasamaja Community Of Mushin Local Government Area?

What are the effect of child abuse in Ilasamaja Community Of Mushin Local Government Area?

1.5 Research Hypothesis

Ho: women do not have adequate knowledge on the causes of child abuse in Ilasamaja Community Of Mushin Local Government Area.

Ha: women have adequate knowledge on the causes of child abuse in Ilasamaja Community Of Mushin Local Government Area.

1.6 Significance of the Study

In a society where children’s academic performance in most public schools is getting lower, any study which will discover some of the causes will be very relevant. Many research studies have been carried out on child abuse and its effect on pupils’ academic performance. There is need therefore for such a study to be carried out in our locality with different cultural settings. The result of this study will be an added advantage to governments stand on child’s right act and care, if it shows a significant influence. Parents, Guardians, Teachers, other caregivers and the general public will find the result of this study useful, as it will reveal to them the need for effective care and protection of their children, especially the importance of providing educational needs for a higher academic performance. The research will also be a resource of value to other researchers carrying out research on the topic or similar subject matter.

1.7 Scope Of The Study

This study focuses on the level of awareness of child abuse among women resident in Ilasamaja Community Of Mushin Local Government Area. Hence the respondents of the study will be obtained from women residents in Ilasamaja Community Of Mushin Local Government Area.

1.8 Limitations Of The Study

The researcher encountered minor obstacles when conducting the study, as with any human endeavor. The significant constraint was the scarcity of literature on the subject due to the nature of the discourse, so the researcher incurred more financial expenses and spent more time sourcing for relevant materials, literature, or information and in the data collection process, which is why the researcher resorted to a limited choice of sample size. Furthermore, the researcher did this investigation alongside other academic activities. Furthermore, the sample size was limited because only a few respondents were chosen to answer the research instrument, therefore the results cannot be generalized to other secondary schools outside the state. Despite the constraints encountered during the research, all elements were minimized in order to provide the best results and make the research effective.

1.9 Definition Of Terms

Child Abuse:

Child is said to be abused when the parents, care givers or any human action leads to physical, emotional, spiritual and sexual abuse of the child. It also involves failure of the parents to provide the necessary love and care for the child.

Child Neglect:

Child neglect refers to the failure by a parent or caregiver to provide a child (where they are in a position to do so) with the conditions that are culturally accepted as being essential for their physical and emotional development and wellbeing.