THE ROLE OF HUMAN RIGHTS AND PUBLIC COMPLAINTS COMMISSION: A STUDY OF CHILD ABUSE

ABSTRACT

This study investigated the role played by human rights institutions in the country in tackling the issue of child abuse. The main objective of the research was to explore the causes, types, and effects of child abuse on the child, the family, and the nation at large. The work seeks to draw greater attention to this growing menace and to explore effective measures for addressing it, with the aim of safeguarding the fundamental human rights of the child as enshrined in the Nigerian Child Rights Act. In the course of the study, the researcher defined child abuse, outlined its various forms, and identified key causes and consequences of child abuse, viewing it as a reflection of broader societal problems and its profound impact on the life of the affected child. The study further assessed the extent of the damage it inflicts on the abused child and on Nigerian society as a whole.

To collect relevant data and information on the subject, the researcher employed a questionnaire as the primary data collection instrument. This was administered to 200 respondents within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which served as the geographical scope of the study. A self-designed instrument titled the Child Abuse Questionnaire (CAQ) was administered to students following validation. The instrument demonstrated a construct validity coefficient of 0.756 and a reliability coefficient of 0.95. The statistical technique used to analyze the collected data was the Chi-Square distribution test.

The results of the analysis indicated a significant relationship between poverty, economic deprivation, and child abuse in Nigeria. The study also revealed that child abuse remains highly prevalent in Nigeria, with religious and cultural influences contributing substantially to the problem. Furthermore, the findings showed that human rights institutions are not doing enough to curb the issue of child abuse and that the Child Rights Act is not effectively implemented in Nigeria.

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background to the Study

The Collins Concise Dictionary defines “juvenile” as relating to the young or immature, encompassing both children and adolescents. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a child belongs to the age group of 0–19 years. Some countries extend this definition to include anyone below or up to 21 years of age. The Nigerian Labour Act defines a child as a person who is 16 years of age and below, while the International Labour Organization (ILO) sets the limit at children below 15 years of age.

Child abuse can be defined as “an intentional or neglectful physical or emotional injury imposed on a child, including sexual molestation” (Garner 1999:10). Child abuse violates the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (adopted in 1989), and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the African Child. It represents a situation in which the fundamental human rights of a child are violated meaning the child is not provided with the adequate care and protection that is the responsibility of every parent. These rights include the right to education, religion, freedom, movement, shelter, and others. On most occasions, the child is subjected to unnecessary hardship and adverse circumstances in life.

Although child abuse occurs in Nigeria, it has received relatively little attention. This may be due to the greater emphasis placed on more prevalent childhood problems such as malnutrition and infections. Another contributing factor is the widespread assumption that the extended family system in every African society inherently provides love, care, and protection to all children. However, certain traditional child-rearing practices negatively affect some children, including the deliberate neglect or abandonment of severely handicapped children, as well as twins or triplets in some rural communities.

With rapid socioeconomic and political changes transforming society, various forms of child abuse have emerged, especially in urban areas. These can be seen as the result of dysfunctional interactions between the child, parents/guardians, and society. Examples include the abandonment of normal infants by unmarried or extremely poor mothers in cities, the rise in child labour and exploitation of children brought from rural areas into urban elite households, and the abuse of children in urban nuclear families by child-minders.

Preventive measures suggested include the provision of infrastructural facilities and employment opportunities in rural areas to stem the migration of young people to cities. Such efforts would help sustain the supportive role of the extended family system, which is rapidly being undermined.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Although child abuse occurs in Nigeria, it has received little attention. This is probably due to the emphasis placed on the more prevalent childhood problems of malnutrition and infection. Another possible reason is the general assumption that in every African society the extended family system always provides love, care, and protection to all children. Yet there are traditional child-rearing practices which adversely affect some children, such as purposeful neglect or abandonment of severely handicapped children, and twins or triplets in some rural areas.

With the alteration of society by rapid socioeconomic and political changes, various forms of child abuse have been identified, particularly in the urban areas. These may be considered the outcome of abnormal interactions of the child, parents/guardians, and society. They include abandonment of normal infants by unmarried or very poor mothers in cities, increased child labour and exploitation of children from rural areas in urban elite families, and abuse of children in urban nuclear families by child-minders.

Preventive measures include provision of infrastructural facilities and employment opportunities in the rural areas in order to prevent drift of the young population to the cities. This would sustain the supportive role of the extended family system which is rapidly being eroded. There is need for more effective legal protection for the handicapped child, and greater awareness of the existence of child abuse in the community by health and social workers.

Rights under the Convention on

the Rights of the Child

According to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, a child is any person below the age of 18. As such, just like any other person, he or she has rights. Article 19 (protection from all forms of violence) states that “Children have the right to be protected from being hurt and mistreated, physically or mentally. Governments should ensure that children are properly cared for and protect them from violence, abuse and neglect by their parents, or anyone else who looks after them…” In addition, Article 34 affirms that it is the government’s duty to protect children from any form of sexual exploitation and abuse. Finally, Article 39 discusses the cases of Rehabilitation, where “Children who have been neglected, abused or exploited should receive special help to physically and psychologically recover and reintegrate into society…”

By examining these three articles and comparing them to actual incidents and/or cases of child abuse, it is clear that they are not being applied. Sadly, the right to be protected from being hurt is being violated on a regular basis, if not daily.

According to a factsheet published by the World Health Organization (WHO), abuse has many consequences. Aside from bruises and physical injuries, it can lead to developmental delays, drug abuse, depression, stress disorders, self-harm, and many more. The factsheet also states that parent training and home visiting programs can be implemented in order to prevent child abuse or at least help reduce child maltreatment rates. Since child abuse has become a global problem, many countries have taken initiatives to address and solve this issue.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The general objective of this study is to examine the role of the Human Rights and Public Complaints Commission in relation to child abuse in Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study are:

1. To ascertain if there is any difference between abused and non-abused students in their reading habits, classroom participation, and academic performance.

2. To examine the role of the Human Rights and Public Complaints Commission and its effectiveness with respect to child abuse in Nigeria.

1.4 Research Hypotheses

The following null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study:

H01: There is no significant difference between abused and non-abused students in their reading habits, classroom participation, and academic performance.

H02: There is no significant effect of the Human Rights and Public Complaints Commission in the fight against child abuse.

1.5 Research Questions

1. Is there any difference between abused and non-abused students in their reading habits, classroom participation, and academic performance?

2. Is the Human Rights and Public Complaints Commission effective with respect to fighting child abuse in Nigeria?

1.6 Significance of the Study

The results of this study will contribute to the existing body of literature regarding the effects of child abuse on youths’ academic performance and the role of the Human Rights and Public Complaints Commission. It offers useful suggestions for making necessary improvements, particularly in terms of behavioural change among stakeholders involved with youths encouraging them to demonstrate the utmost love and care and in enhancing the effectiveness of the society’s administration of its social services roles.