As di world mark World Day for di Prevention and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence, di Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA) don send serious warning give parents and caregivers.
Di agency talk say parents suppose dey careful how dem dey post pikin picture and information for social media, because e fit expose di child to danger wey dem no fit see immediately.
Executive Secretary of DSVA, Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, talk say Internet no dey forget anything wey person post.
“Make we think before we post. No be everything we suppose dey put online. Anything wey reach Internet dey there forever,” she tok.
She add say even though social media dey help some people do business, parents suppose get sense balance so dat dem no expose their pikin to di “dark side” of online life.
Vivour-Adeniyi follow talk say when child complain about sexual abuse, di most important first step na to believe di child.
According to her, many abusers dey use fear and threat hold children down, so belief dey help break dat silence.
“First of all, survivors need to be believed. Make we tell dem say e no be their fault,” she tok.
She advise parents to seek psychological help for any child wey don go through abuse, because di trauma deep. She add say most survivors dey find justice — dem wan make di person wey hurt dem face punishment.
DSVA warn parents to dey watch their pikin body language and behavior well.
Vivour-Adeniyi talk say one big sign na sudden change in behavior.
“Pikin wey dey lively fit suddenly become quiet or withdrawn,” she explain.
She say parents no suppose conclude immediately, but dem suppose “interrogate wetin dey happen” so di child fit open up.
Vivour-Adeniyi add say Lagos State government dey put plenty resources to prevent abuse and strengthen response, so once any child report case for police, hospital or NGO, help go start immediately.
