AN INVESTIGATION INTO FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH CHILD ABUSE

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       Background of the study

Procreation is a phenomenon that ensures the survival and continuity of a nation. However, the rearing pattern of the children that are products of wedlock is a crucial task that is significant in determining the quality of citizens that make up a particular society. It is disappointing to note that juvenile cases and other social vices that characterized our society today are traceable to bad child patterns of many homes(Ogundele* and  Ojo ). Children who have passed through such homes were battered, abandoned, or abused in any other form. They were consequently toughened and eventually become liabilities to the community rather than assets. In Nigeria today, the rate of child abuse and neglect have assumed a worrisome and alarming proportion (Semenitani, 1998). Children are regarded as precious gifts from God. It is rather outrageous and unfortunate that these same children are subject to abuse and neglect.

Child neglect is the most prevalent kind of abuse and can be either physical, emotional or educational and can be intentional or unintentional.Children suffer from various forms of abuse such as child marriages, molestation, child labour, kidnapping and neglect among other forms (Olusegun, Olaitan O. and Idowu, Amos 2016). The ill-treatment of children by those who are supposed to care for them has been recognized as a major problem in child upbringing in the society. Child abuse and neglect is a prevalent problem all over the world and Nigeria is no exception.

Child Abuse Prevention And Treatment Act of 1995 enacted in Nigeria defined child abuse as any behaviour directed towards a child by a parent, guardian, caregiver, other family member or other adult that endangers or impairs a child's physical or emotional health and development. Child abuse happens when an adult mistreats or neglects a child. The person who abuses is misusing his position of trust and authority (Mba 2002). This could be a parent, guardian, paid caregiver or sibling. Children depend upon adults to protect them, support them and help them survive. Being abused damages their sense of safety.   It also makes them more likely to be abused and exploited in the future. Child abuse is a silent crime. It can happen in all cultures, social classes and religion, although it is now known that it does not occur equally over all groups (Fryer 1990). It is a sad irony that many abusers genuinely love their children, but they find themselves caught in life situations beyond their control and they do not know how to cope.

1.2       Statement of the problem

The phenomenon of child abuse constitutes one of the most serious problems in Nigeria and the world at large. The problem of child abuse is a major area of concern to the government of various countries all over the world because of the belief that it has great consequences on the society. As a result of this problem, a great number of media houses, scholars and individuals alike from all works of life have been engaged in the task of trying to explain and examine the issue of child abuse with particular reference to the causes and measures to take in eliminating the problem. Children in urban areas are quickly caught up in the daily struggle for survival and material gain. A situation analysis revealed that child abandonment, sexual abuse, child neglect, kidnapping and hawking were the most reported forms of child abuse and neglect (Ebigbo 1989). Depending on the particular population of abusers that is being studied, it is known that abusive and neglectful behaviour are precipitated by such factors as poverty, bad housing, unemployment, marital strife, alcoholism, difficult pregnancy and delivery, lack of knowledge of child development and a host of other reason. Howbeit this subject has recived little attention in recent time thus compelling the need for the researcher to delve into the study.

1.3       Objective of the study

The broad objective of the study is to an investigation into factor associated with child abuse. Specifically, the study will:

1. Investigate the dimension of child abuse.

2. Examine causes of child Abuse.

3. Determine the consequence of Abuse on the child.

1.4       Research Questions

1.        What are the  the dimension of child abuse?

2.        What are causes of child Abuse?

3.        What are  the consequence of Abuse on the child?

1.5       Significance of the study

The study is an attempt to provide evidence and identify pattern of child abuse and neglection with a view to offering suggestion and recommendations that will date the level. This study would be of immense value to parents, counseling teachers of low level of educational and children. The finding and suggestion resulting from this study will go along way in helping parent and guidance to know irritating iterance or actions, it have on youth and children or young once which can be economically, psychological or society which will enable parents, adult to adjust in order to ensure smooth development of children. It will also addressed the practical problem which when left will cut at the very root of civilized ethics particularly  significant at present a bold attempt to go into an area of scarcity literature.

1.7       Scope of the study

The scope of this study borders on  an investigation into factor associated with child abuse.  The study will investigate dimension of child abuse and consequence of Child Abuse. The study is however  is delimited Kaduna State.

1.8       Limitation of the study

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. The significant constraint was the scanty literature on the subject owing to the nature of the discourse thus the researcher incurred more financial expenses and much time was required in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection, which is why the researcher resorted to a limited choice of sample size. Additionally, the researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. More so, the choice of the sample size was limited  as few respondent were selected to answer the research instrument hence cannot be generalize to other sector of the economy. However, despite the constraint  encountered during the  research, all factors were downplayed in other to give the best and make the research successful.

1.8   DEFINITION OF TERMS

Child: Child is defined as a dependent person in the custody of a parent or guardian for protection of his/her life.

Abuse: Is any deliberate act by a person: group of person of society designed to inflict on a child or parent normal, mental physical, emotional and normal development.

Neglect: This usually occurs when families fail on their own part to provide the necessary need fro their children such as food, medical care or being deprived of essential need of life or it is a situation were one show a sign of suffering or lack of care and attention.

Child care: This is care which is supposed to be given to children by those who are responsible for looking after them provide them with child care facilities.

Child Abuse: Those are cruel treatment of children by adult involving violence or sexual activities which is capable of affecting physically, mentally and psychologically.