Help to Stop Child Sexual Abuse in Nigeria

 We began this quarter with renewed zeal and passion to weather the storm of whatever challenges COVID 19 Pandemic had in store, having been committed to our goals of providing support to all children, protecting them from any form of exploitation, including sexual and other forms of abuse. During this period, several children who were victims of abuse and the non-offending family members were assisted to access vital social services and justice systems. In specific terms, we are glad to say that Cece Yara Child Advocacy Centre in Lagos and Abuja, in collaboration with its partners, was also able to reach out to not less than 30 vulnerable children, ensured that some of such girls and boys have been placed in alternative care, facilitated the institution of criminal cases proceedings against the perpetrators and thus safeguarding the lives and futures of these children.  

Fortunately, the beginning of 2021 saw approved vaccines to the rampaging COVID 19 pandemics being rolled across countries of the world including Nigeria. As of March 2021, over 300 million vaccine doses had been administered worldwide. The figures give us hope of the world scoring victory against the deadly pandemic. We have also recorded an 18% decrease in the incidence of abuse (January-April 2021) reported compared to the same period last year because the total lockdown measures to mitigate the spread of Covid-19, put a lot of children at risk of being abused because some of the perpetrators were lockdown with the children, the ease of lockdown also gives hope to children who are at risk of being abused.

We look forward to providing more services and intervention during the coming “normalized” period. We appreciate all the support we received from our partners, funders, donors, volunteers, and supporters as we would not have achieved all without their strategic partnership alone. We look forward to consolidating on these modest gains in the coming period.

The Cece Yara Foundation in Collaboration with International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) U.S. Department of State in Community Engagement Programme

On the 26th of March 2021, the Cece Yara Foundation co-facilitated a sensitization program with IVLP in Ejigbo Community themed: “Maintaining a Rape, Child Molestation and Domestic Violence Free Community”. Present at the program was the Executive Director of Cece Yara Foundation, Ms. Grace Ketefe, and Assistant Director Ms. Bisi Ajayi-Kayode, and other team members, the Local Government Chairman of Ejigbo LCDA was also present at the training. The training targeted children and adults separately. The following issues were addressed at the training:

1. Understanding the Scourge: Rape Child Molestation and Domestic Violence; This session was facilitated by the Assistant Director. The public was enlightened about the causes of abuse, COVID-19 impact on abuse, and child rights, and how children can protect themselves from abuse in schools, homes, and religious institutions, etc. The Foundation and her services to survivors of abuse were also discussed
2. The strategies for Rape and Sexual Violence Avoidance and Resistance; This session was facilitated by the Executive Director Mrs. Grace Ketefe
3. Safe Kids Awareness Program (SKAP) Children were trained on body boundaries and enlightened on who their network of a trusted adult is. They were also taught that they can call the child helpline at any time and there is a professional counselor at the other end of the line who is always ready to listen to them.

Also, on the 8th of April 2021, the Cece Yara Foundation co-facilitated a program in Shomolu Community themed: “Achieving a Rape, Child Molestation and Domestic Violence Free Community”. Present at the program was the Assistant Executive Director of Cece Yara Foundation- Mrs. Bisi Ajayi-Kayode, and other team members. The audience was enlightened about the types of child abuse (sexual, physical, and Emotional), the audience was educated on the 5 steps to protecting children and the child rights law. The audience was also enlightened about the Cece Yara Foundation and her services. They were implored to always speak up and break the silence when they know or see anyone who experiences abuse.

Across both communities, over 400 changemakers were trained on how to prevent and react responsibly to the incidence of child sexual abuse, and over 300 children ages 5-17, were trained on body boundaries, assertive skills, and life skills aimed at creating awareness and preventing child sexual abuse.

CYF in Collaboration with British Council

On the 13^th of April 2021, the Cece Yara Foundation in company Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption (RoLAC) British Council representative - Iyiola Gbadamosi, Assistant Director of The Cece Yara Foundation- Mrs. Bisi Ajayi- Kayode, Communications Coordinator- Ayorinde Ogunlade, and Legal team paid a courtesy visit to Mr. Fayode Adegoke Mustapha, the Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Panti.   The meeting was geared towards the adoption of Forensic interviews as the best practice for investigation and prosecution of child sexual abuse cases, and the need to review the police training curriculum to include the dynamics of child sexual abuse and forensic interview. The DCP expressed his warmest regards to the Organization and pledge to sustain the support Cece Yara been receiving from them over the years.

Religious Organization Pledges to End Violence against Women and Girls

On the 20^th of April 2021, the Cece Yara team also facilitated training for two prominent religious organizations in Nigeria. The Nasrul-lahi-li Fathi Society of Nigeria also known as NASFAT – A Nigerian Muslim prayer group with a focus on youth, women, and the Christian Council of Nigeria.

The training sessions focused on equipping the participants on understanding their role as Faith-Based Organizations on Ending Violence against Women & Girls (VAWG) respectively. After the training, the groups pledged to strengthen structures within their organizations to End violence against women and girls.

Cece Yara Foundation Facilitates Training for Invictus Africa

On the 27^th of March, the Cece Yara Team facilitated a program for parents with children under the age of 18. The program was tagged “A-Z of Sexual Abuse”. They equipped the participants with knowledge on understanding sexual abuse, preventing sexual abuse, seeking accountability, and getting the needed support for survivors.

Cece Yara Multi-Disciplinary Team Responding to our Clients in Need of Child Protection intervention.

The Team has attended to over 35 cases of child sexual abuse during the reporting period.

Our Multi-Disciplinary Team is ever ready to interfaces with child protection stakeholders; and enable a coordinated multi-disciplinary approach by lawyers, forensic interviewers, social workers, child advocates, medical personnel, the police, State Child Welfare Departments, and the Ministry of justice.

CYF Trains more Forensic experts

In child sexual abuse cases, skillful forensic interviews are important to ensure the protection of children and the conviction of perpetrators. We are happy to state that during this period, we trained more staff, representatives from the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs Abuja, and the Police on conducting the forensic interviews. Trained participants would be able to obtain information from a children/witness for use in a legal setting, such as a court hearing, and gather information in a legally defensible and developmentally appropriate manner about whether a child (or another person) has been abused. Our Child Advocacy Centers is ever ready to provide a safe, child-friendly atmosphere for children to make disclosures.

Cece Yara Child-Friendly Shelter

Despite the COVID pandemic challenges, our shelter is still providing support for children that need to be moved from an offending environment to a safe space. Although this was quite challenging, the staff had to go the extra mile to ensure all COVID protocols were observed before children and their non-offending family members were admitted into the shelter. During this period children were referred to the Shelter from government agencies, a total number of 12 children were able to access the shelter and our psychosocial support.

Our Child Helpline is a member of Child Helpline International and it is a National Helpline. In line with a child’s fundamental right to be heard as enshrined in the Child Rights Act and laws of Nigeria, the helpline offers help and support for children and their non-offending family members. Children and adults can always talk to our counselors who actively listen to their concerns and link them to resources and emergency assistance whenever the need arises. The child helpline has responded to over 19,000 calls within and outside the country since inception - August 2016 to date and has provided support for over 1048 different cases of abuse reported via the helpline.

One of the things that put a smile on our faces is feedback- a child once called the helpline to say thank you after his sister received support and intervention in a sexual violence case.