The Marketplace and the Child

Welcome to our final post on our Child Sexual Abuse outreach. We are excited to share our experience in Lagos market with you. It all started in front of the UBA cash machine where we split into groups of two and visited stalls in Martins and Leventis streets of the market respectively. 

We applied a top to bottom approach by talking to parents, children and even persons who were neither of both sides, believing that they will in one way or the other have an interaction with children.

The outreach was characterized by volunteers engaging stall owners and customers about Child Sexual Abuse while emphasizing the need for joint collaboration to curb the menace. We find it highly imperative that everyone is involved in the fight because an abuse on one child is a ticking time bomb for the world at large as it tends to alter the line of growth of any child affected by it thereby threatening the global goal for attaining the highest standard of living for every individual.

On the whole, we interacted with about 355 persons through a team of Nine volunteers who braved the heat of the sun and a potential change of weather hence the  likelihood of rain at the same time. 

The feedback from participants was highly impressive as we had feedback backing up the assertion. Many parents were grateful as their children lacked requisite information and they as parents did not have adequate information to pass on to their children about the menace or even realize how rampant or even grave the situation is. We also discovered a general myth that many believed that only girls were potential victims as many did not direct their minds to the fact boys stand the same risks as girls do. Abuse is no respecter of gender.

  

We found certain experiences particularly interesting. Some of which include times we needed to tighten our language game and switch in between speeches, been invited into stalls and asked funny questions such as "are you not too young to be teaching adults about this?", times when we were shunned and we had to take it in good faith, times we practiced our pitch especially after the whatsapp training, spending more time in certain stalls because people had insightful experiences and advice to share and  tough times convincing people to take pictures among others.

We are grateful for the opportunity to be of service and are excited about future opportunities to do so much more for the world at large.

P.S: The market is an amazing place for promotion of social causes. You are poised to meet people from different backgrounds and stages in life, all in one place!

Special thanks to the volunteers that made it to the market; Aminat, Tunde, Elizabeth, Kofo, Kayode, Seun, Toyosi, Wole and Bamise and even bigger thanks to Adesua for making the efforts to celebrate her birthday with us in the market. God bless you all.

Thank you for taking time to read and share this post. Should you have any questions, comments or suggestions do not hesitate to use the comment box.

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APRIL: OUR MONTH OF THE CHILD

The month of April saw a global campaign against Child Sexual Abuse, with people all around the world garnering efforts towards putting an end to the ill globally. Facts as elicited in our previous post here prove that Child Sexual Abuse is on the increase, leaving many children at risk if the menace is not controlled.

As an institution set up with the primary goal of providing information as regards social causes, The Nineteen Initiative commenced a campaign on media platforms, Instagram, Twitter and WhatsApp  and physical outreaches which are still ongoing to arm as many people as we can with vital information on the topic.

To kick start the awareness month, we had a volunteer and guest writer, Tosin Folarin, a Child Sexual Abuse Exper host a series on the blog where she gave an overview of the topic, statistics to show the frequency of occurrence, potential risks factors, prevention measures and who to contact in case of an abuse.

The month also saw the publication of daily prevention tips where we used pictures to communicate risk factors and ways of preventing them. These pictures were published on various whatsapp and Instagram pages; ours and volunteers’.

In the course of the month, we trained Nigerian Youth Service Corps members (of the Gender and Servicom Community Development Service group, Eti-Osa 2 Local Government Area) on Child Sexual Abuse through qualified volunteers, Tholu Rolands and Tosin Folarin. The training was geared at providing the corps members with necessary information to disseminate in their awareness campaign held in Eti Osa 2 Local Government Area, Lagos.

The major campaign was scheduled to hold in Lagos market, Nigeria. Our volunteers set out in the early hours of 10:00 am on the 21^st April, 2018 to create awareness on Child Sexual Abuse in Lagos Market, Lagos Nigeria.

The outreach was preceded by action research carried out by our Convener, Bamise who visited the Lagos Market to conduct action research in order to find out if the outreach was necessary in the market. Research revealed the fact that most merchants brought children to the market and left them unattended at the mercy of persons present and visiting the market. Edwina, a volunteer also visited the Sexual Offences Court to discover the prevalence of child sexual abuse in Nigeria which revealed a high prevalence of the menace. We set out armed with leaflets to spread the news about the realities of child sexual abuse, the risk factors and ways of preventing an occurrence while giving contact details of organizations to reach out to in case of an abuse.

To get more details on the outreach, make sure you read our next post that wraps up the details of our Eko Outreach.

The menace of Child Sexual Abuse is real and Lovina Ashedzi, in this poem says a lot about it.

Help Me!

My innocence is being snatched, snagged and munched as snack every second.

I am like a victim of ablepsia seeking a
guide of a walking stick to be an aid to
my adulted blindness, Like an acquainted  stranger in findings to my destined   destination when I ran into this Inhuman Humans whose tooled-heart is rusted and got their tetanus infused into my virgin vein.

I was told education is the key to unlocking my padlocked-knowledge, the Teacher is the Saint  Preacher of wisdom to my soul.
This was packed and  pushed down the throat of my  mind.

But-
in knowing what the pen is,
I got a wrathed- penn-is penetrate
my "pee-way" instead.

I was told blood is thicker than water
But-

I watched my blood rip me off of my untainted mind with their finger breathing in and out of me.
They fondle with my tenderness to satisfy their hungry urge.

I am tagged a minor and a minus of a certain privilege
But-
Unknown to "Mama" I am turned into a donor of sexual pleasure, treasure in large measure.
They blind fold me with lies and threat of death if dared say it to any not to mention many.
They accuse me of being a dummy.
But I ask in a dim voice

Is my bit bitten bitterness not your doing ?

Who can hear the voice of this voiceless soul? Who sees the eyes of this blinded mortal and Who is willing to end this acquaintance violence against me?
For-
I am a Child ,a Human and
never a fuse for a use.

Assist me! Stop insisting on me please!

©️Lovina Ashedzi Emmanuel

Thank you for taking time to read and share this post. Should you have any questions, comments or suggestions do not hesitate to use the comment box.

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THIS BLOG claims no credit for any images posted on this site unless otherwise noted. Images on this blog are copyright to its respectful owners. If there is an image appearing on this blog that belongs to you and do not wish for it appear on this site, please E-mail with a link to said image and it will be promptly removed.

Protecting Children from Sexual Abuse: Tosin Folarin

Hi there! I hope you had a great week? and most importantly, a great start for a new week? Thank you for coming back on the blog an i hope you learn enough to be equipped to guarantee that more children are saved from the menace of child sexual abuse.

 

Remember how the previous post gave an introduction to what child sexual abuse is and the reality of it? (You can read it here in case you haven't read it yet). Today, i will be discussing a few tips on protection and how to guarantee that we end child sexual abuse in our environment and globally.

STEPS TO PROTECTING CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL ABUSE

1. Learn About It!

It is important that we keep our selves abreast of basic facts about child abuse such as the statistics, the symptoms, how to avoid child sexual abuse around us. Let us read about it.

2. Educate people about

A good number of people shy away from talking about child sexual abuse.​ People may not report their concerns because they do not consider it any of their business, or they do not trust child protection agencies.
Effective protection of children relies on Active Citizens reporting their concerns for a child harmed.



3. Recognize Vulnerable Children

Around us there are children who are vulnerable. Children often show us rather than tell us that something is worrying or upsetting them; so being aware of the warnings signs is vital. The presence of one or more of these factors may be an indicator that a child could be abused. Isolation, lack of support, withdrawal, children with disabilities, low self-esteem etc.

4. Be-proactive and Report.

If a child is trying to make a disclosure about sexual abuse, respond promptly with care and urgency. Believe the child (children will rarely tell a lie about sexual abuse) be supportive, assure the child that he/she will never get to see the perpetrator again, Stay calm (don’t get angry or shout at them).




Child sexual abuse cases should be reported to institutions that will ensure justice for children.  Here are some:

i. The Cece Yara Foundation
Website: www.ceceyarafoundation. Org
Toll free line: 08008008001

ii. The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team
Toll free line 112
07080601080

iii. The Mirabel Center:
08187243468

iiii. Police Stations with child protection units.

For the comprehensive list of our Abuse Prevention Tips, Please visit our instagram page @thenineteeninitiative

Thank you for taking time to read and share this post. Should you have any questions, comments or suggestions do not hesitate to use the comment box.

Please visit and follow us on our social media accounts:

Facebook: The Nineteen Initiative
Instagram: @thenineteeninitiative.
Twitter: @19_thenineteen.

.

Child Sexual Abuse: The Face and Reality.

Child Sexual Abuse: The Face and Reality with Tosin Folarin. 

Child sexual abuse, is a form of  abuse in which an adult or older adolescent engages a child (0-18) in sexual acts. This can occur in various forms e.g. child grooming, sexting, indecent exposure (of the genitals, female nipples, etc.),  or using a child to produce child pornography.

It is refuting to think child sexual abuse doesn’t happen in our community. Sometimes, when people think about child abuse, they picture an old rickety man in an abandoned building signaling on a child by the road side to come take biscuit. This is a myth! Sexual abuse doesn’t happen to the less privileged children alone.  Child sexual abuse can occur in a variety of settings, including home, school, and work. The perpetuators of this abuse are usually the caregivers (people we entrust children to; to protect and care for them) e.g. Fathers, Uncles, Aunties, House-helps, Teachers, Gatemen, neighbors etc. 

Statistics have shown that over 90 percent of sexually abused children are abused by someone known by the child or family.

 Additionally,

1 in 4 girls and 1 in 10 boys in Nigeria experience sexual abuse before the age of 18 years. 

Every afternoon, no less than 5,000 boys in Nigeria experience Sexual Violence.

61% of boys in Nigeria who experience Childhood Sex Abuse do not know where to seek help. 

84% of girls in Nigeria who experience Childhood Sex Abuse do not know where to seek help. 

20 percent of childhood rape attempt occur in school.

The effect of child sexual abuse is devastating as some can be short term some of which may include sleep disturbance, bed wetting, eating disorders. The long term effects are depression, low self-esteem,  feelings of betrayal, abnormal view of sex, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, withdrawal, propensity to further victimization in adulthood, complex post-traumatic stress disorder,  and physical injury to the child the list is endless.

A good number of people shy away from talking about child sexual abuse, perhaps we believe if we do not talk about it, it doesn’t exist or perhaps many cases has to deal with incest and we are afraid of bringing ‘shame’ to the family. Whatever the case may be we need to talk about it. We need to take report.

As active citizens we have a role to play in curbing child sexual abuse. It is our responsibility to ensure that every child in our environment is safe and free from child sexual abuse. It is our role to ensure that every child enjoy their childhood without been sexually abused.

How can we ensure this? What is our role? Who will save the child? These and many more questions will be answered in the next series. 

About Tosin Folarin.

Tosin Folarin is a Child's  Rights Advocate who works hard to ensure that childhood is not disrupted by abuse or any form of injustice to the child. She is a Child Helpline Counselor with Cece Yara Foundation, a leading Non Profit Organization specifically designed to end Child Sexual Abuse.
Tosin is a volunteer par excellence who has dedicated her youth to serving humanity by volunteering for worthy causes. She is a Sustainable Development Goals Advocate for Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) where she creates awareness about the SDGs in secondary schools.
She is an Education Advisor with Titivator Hub where she does research, advocacy and book drives for Internally Displaced Children in Durumi camp, Abuja.
Previously, she served as an  International Citizens Service volunteer with VSO where she bagged the National Volunteer Award (2016) in the United Kingdom. She supported an agricultural project through training of farmers in the Cocoa value chain, adult literacy facilitation, business skills training and mentoring among others.
In her free time, Tosin writes on social issues and supports campaiigns aimed at making the world a sustainable hub for human existence.

Thank you for taking time to read and share this post. Should you have any questions, comments or suggestions do not hesitate to use the comment box.


Please visit and follow us on our social media accounts:

Facebook: The Nineteen Initiative
Instagram:@thenineteeninitiative.
Twitter: @19_thenineteen.

THIS BLOG claims no credit for any images posted on this site unless otherwise noted. Images on this blog are copyright to its respectful owners. If there is an image appearing on this blog that belongs to you and do not wish for it appear on this site, please E-mail with a link to said image and it will be promptly removed.

People Rising, Planet Rising #2

Hi there! Thank you for coming back on the series. Last week I highlighted the need for climate action by everyone. This week I discuss innovative ways we all can work for the people and planet in our local communities.

First, we can engage our communities using our talents. Through creative activities like acting, singing, writing, painting, playing a musical instrument or even spoken word poetry, we can use our talents to pass across the message of sustainable living. Perhaps by making up a song about how we can care for our environment, plant trees and conserve energy, or simply writing a drama script about it. As young people, we have the power to engage our communities and get them to listen to us. We should use this opportunity to spread the word.

Second we can design. This is where our creativity, tact and handcrafts come in. Graphic designs, artworks, and eco-friendly building models can go a long way to advocate for sustainable life for people and planet. We can construct cost-effective, energy saving models or design eco-friendly art and fashion or make graphic designs that convey a message about a green planet.

Third, as young people, we can invent. Our science lessons should not go to naught at this point. So while we learn in our science, engineering and tech classes, we must ask ourselves what new thing we can build or develop that will aid sustainable living. It could perhaps be an application that tells when carbon emissions in a room are going too high. It could be that simple. And when we do that, we can start by sending it to neighbours and friends in our locality. Thus, through our inventions, we can work for sustainable living.

Fourth, we can use social media. As young people social media is a viable tool but we must use it innovatively. From wherever we are, a tweet a day about sustainable living, a Facebook post, or an Instagram image can help raise awareness about our responsibility to each other and our planet.

Finally, we strengthen each other through partnerships, thus we can start clubs in our localities. It could be a novel one or an existing organization who gives a license to start one. For instance, a Tunza Eco-generation club where young people in the community meet once every week and talk about Tunza ideals, share ideas, and carry out activities in line with sustainable living would do a lot of good for one community.

So in the words of US President Barack Obama at the Georgetown Address in 2013, ‘the question now is whether we (young) people will have the courage to act before it’s too late. And how we answer will have a profound impact on the world that we leave behind not just to us, but to our children and our grandchildren.’

I hope our answers are positive. Mine is.

 Thank you for taking time to read and share this post. Should you have any questions, comments or suggestions do not hesitate to use the comment box.

Please visit and follow us on our social media accounts:

Facebook: The Nineteen Initiative
Instagram: @thenineteeninitiative.
Twitter: @19_thenineteen.

THIS BLOG claims no credit for any images posted on this site unless otherwise noted. Images on this blog are copyright to its respectful owners. If there is an image appearing on this blog that belongs to you and do not wish for it appear on this site, please E-mail with a link to said image and it will be promptly removed.

People Rising, Planet Rising.

                                         

People Rising, Planet Rising by Caleb Adebayo

Once upon a time, life on planet earth was not faced with the many challenges it is faced with today. Once upon a time, we did not have to be conscious about every action we took because it could reduce the chances of the planet’s survival. Today is definitely not that time. That time is long gone. Today is a struggle for our planet and people, and we are all part of this struggle. All of us.

According to the World Widelife Fund, We are facing the biggest environmental challenge 

our generation has ever seen. No matter what we are passionate about, something we care 

about will be affected by climate change

In 2009 at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference in Copenhagen, emerging countries put up an attitude of nonchalance when issues of climate change, global warming and greenhouse gases emissions were broached. Their argument was that the developed countries should take responsibility to combat climate change effects since they were the ones responsible for the current level of emissions. A refusal of these countries to individually take responsibility for a problem that concerned them too affected the emergence of a vital climate change agreement that year. This attitude should not be the reaction of young people today as the concern for people and planet is everyone’s concern. It has long stopped being the business of the United Nations alone and has become our individual businesses. We have to own it. Every young person has to own it. So the question is, how? And what can we do to act for it?

Acting for ‘People and planet’ simply refers to sustainable living. Life on earth is about people living on a planet. It is more than that today though, it is about living to sustain ourselves while sustaining the planet too.  It is about ensuring that our prosperity and development are not antagonistic to our survival, our health, or our planet, that we live peacefully and divert the resources and energy we use for war to fight poverty and fund activities for sustainable development. This is what we mean when we say ‘for people and planet.’

In the next post, I will  explain five ways I believe young people of all ages can innovatively work for people and planet in their local environment.

Please be sure to read the next post to learn exciting ways through which you can take action for the planet.

Thank you for taking time to read and share this post. Should you have any questions, comments or suggestions do not hesitate to use the comment box.

Please visit and follow us on our social media accounts:

Facebook: The Nineteen Initiative

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Twitter: @19_thenineteen.

THIS BLOG claims no credit for any images posted on this site unless otherwise noted. Images on this blog are copyright to its respectful owners. If there is an image appearing on this blog that belongs to you and do not wish for it appear on this site, please E-mail with a link to said image and it will be promptly removed.