Her neighbors got wind of her situation when they heard her stifled cries during one of those nights, which led to her rescue. The father was taken into custody by the police. At the same time, medical examinations were carried out on Grace which revealed she was pregnant. She currently receives psychological and medical help and currently lives with the neighbor’s family that rescued her. This is one of the so many horrible incidents happening daily, some unnoticed Rape and Incest in Nigeria.
Nigerians have lost their once cherished values of decency and responsibility because sexual molestation, especially rape and incest, have increased tremendously.
These acts of betrayal are often perpetrated by respected and trusted neighbors, uncles, parents (as was the case with Grace), and grandparents, including revered pastors, imams, or teachers. Cases of sexual violence against children in Nigeria have disturbingly become a regular incident in the News.
Individuals, governmental and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have expressed their concern over the increase of the incidences of sexual abuse and violence against children all over the country. In Nigeria today, what used to be considered taboo and sacrilege has now become a national topic. Every day you hear horrible cases of fathers abusing their young daughters, rising cases of incest, and rape of children by trusted adults with whom they are kept for care Rape and Incest in Nigeria.
Sometimes, the victim is tricked and deceptively taken advantage of; but it is mainly done by force and violence and leaves the victim physically and psychologically damaged and scarred.
In some worse cases, the victims – especially those who resist, lose their lives or are maimed for life. Most of these abuses can be linked with poverty, ignorance, poor education, and unstable home environments. Only an uneducated man will want to have canal knowledge of his child Rape and Incest in Nigeria.
Effect of Child molestation
The adverse physical and psychological consequences of child molestation include, but not limited to:
Physical trauma
Acquisition of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV
Teenage pregnancy and its associated adverse stigma
Development of anti-social behavior
Inability to have a fulfilling and satisfying sexual relationship in the future
Adverse effect on the child, the family, and society at large
In conclusion, parents and their children should be enlightened on the dangers of child sexual abuse and encouraged to report cases regardless of whosoever is involved, not only to serve as a deterrent to abusers but to give the victim a chance to heal and receive therapy.
