As parents, there are lessons to draw from this baba ijesha saga

1– Every Parent should know the signs of Grooming, child sexual abuse rarely happens by accident, it involves a gradual and deliberate process of desensitizing the child to the touch of the abuser. Examples -special attention to the child, gifts, preferential treatment, isolation.
If you notice these signs, you can prevent the abuse

2– It is people you know, your family and friends that are most likely to abuse your children sexually. Example -Uncles, Aunties, neighbours, cousins, close friends, spiritual leaders etc.

3– Sexual Abuse can go on for years once the adult still has access to the child. Yes, child sexual abuse is not always a one-time occurrence.

4– We don’t acknowledge this always, but child sexual abuse has a lasting negative effect on a child, both physically and psychologically.

5– Never leave your child or teenager with an adult unaccompanied or unsupervised.

6– Ask questions when you notice your child avoids an adult. Or acts scared around a particular adult.

7– Do not force your children to be friends with your friends or every family member.

8– When they report inappropriate behaviour of an adult towards them, believe them, act on it, remove the person from their lives.

9– Trust no one! Trust no one! Trust no one. If a father can abuse his child, everyone is a suspect.

10– Pray for God’s protection on your children always because, at the end of the day, we can only do our part as human.

Finally, be consistent in teaching them about sexual abuse and how to react. Teach age appropriate sex education. Call familiar names when you teach to help them understand that there is no exception to possible abusers.

Linda Nnodiogu.
Author/Child Sexual Abuse Advocate.