1.0 PHYSICAL ABUSE
1.1 INTRODUCTION
This
report is going to critically discuss the problems of physical abuse been faced
in Nigeria, it is chosen based on a research project for my internship Program.
First of all, I will like to start by defining the word Physical abuse.
Physical abuse in my opinion has no real definition. 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 childminders .
1.2 PROBLEM
STATEMENT
When most
people think of abuse or violence they think of it as just being physical but
abuse and violence can happen in different ways. Physical Abuse is if somebody
is “Standing over somebody, grabbing , if one is trying to leave, kicking,
punching, biting, slapping, choking, throwing things, breaking things, punching
walls or doors, burning, cutting, pulling hair, stabbing or strangling
(projectpave.org.2011).
Physical abuse
is one of the biggest problems in Nigeria today. Many different people abuse
children because of a lot of different reasons. There are many different types
of physical abuse, which will be discussed later and also a conclusion on the
main cause of physical abuse which is different in most all cases.
Physical
abuse can be domestic violence, child abuse, sexual abuse ,e.t.c. Domestic
violence is widespread and it shows no signs of lessening in Nigeria, and also
child abuse. A research survey found a
nationwide increase in domestic violence in the past 3 years from 21% in 2011
to 30% in 2013, which means it has greatly increased now that we are in 2018.
1.3 PROBLEM
IMPACT
Physical abuse of children was found to
impact maternal depression. Maternal depression and locus of control impacts
the risk of physical abuse. Aggression
and violent behavior, nonviolent criminal behavior, substance abuse,
self-injurious ,suicidal behavior, emotional problems, interpersonal problems,
academic and vocational difficulties are all impacts of physical abuse which
gives long term consequences. Also, physical abuse has the impact of affecting
people physchologically, it affects feelings, thoughts and behaviours of
individuals going through these problems. Child abuse leads to violence as a
result of neglect, it also affects the social relationship of people suffering
from it. Increased
rates of psychopathology, sexual difficulties, decreased self-esteem, and
interpersonal problems are all impacts of physical abuse. The main root causes
will be stated below.
2.0 ROOT
CAUSES OF PHYSICAL ABUSE
·
ROOT CAUSES
·
SEXUAL ABUSE
·
Child Marriage
This is the practice whereby children are married to adults far older than them,Nigeria is no exception to the prevalence of child marriage in rural communities, especially in the country’s Northern states.Female children are given away in marriage at a young age to increase the wealth of family members through the payment of bride prices, early child marriage exposes children to adverse health effects and deprives them of the childhood time that is necessary for them to develop physically, emotionally, and psychologically which leads to abuse.
This is the practice whereby children are married to adults far older than them,Nigeria is no exception to the prevalence of child marriage in rural communities, especially in the country’s Northern states.Female children are given away in marriage at a young age to increase the wealth of family members through the payment of bride prices, early child marriage exposes children to adverse health effects and deprives them of the childhood time that is necessary for them to develop physically, emotionally, and psychologically which leads to abuse.
·
Molestation
Molestation involves the forcing or enticing of a child to take part in sexual activities, but does not necessarily involve a high level of violence. The child may or may not be aware of what is happening. The activities may involve either physical contact or non-contact activities which is a high root cause of physical abuse.
Molestation involves the forcing or enticing of a child to take part in sexual activities, but does not necessarily involve a high level of violence. The child may or may not be aware of what is happening. The activities may involve either physical contact or non-contact activities which is a high root cause of physical abuse.
·
NON SEXUAL ABUSE
·
Kidnapping
Kidnapping is the unlawful detainment of individuals, either by force or fraud, and the undisclosed relocation against their will, usually to extract ransom. Kidnapping has caused a great deal of mental and emotional trauma for victims and their relatives. It violates their rights to life, freedom of movement, and freedom from inhuman and degrading treatments.Also, children are not exempt from the spate of kidnapping in Nigeria.
Kidnapping is the unlawful detainment of individuals, either by force or fraud, and the undisclosed relocation against their will, usually to extract ransom. Kidnapping has caused a great deal of mental and emotional trauma for victims and their relatives. It violates their rights to life, freedom of movement, and freedom from inhuman and degrading treatments.Also, children are not exempt from the spate of kidnapping in Nigeria.
·
Emotional Abuse
Persistent emotional maltreatment of a child that causes severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development is known as emotional abuse. Children that are constantly humiliated, shamed, or rejected, often see themselves as worthless and incapable of being successful. This can lead to depression, lack of concentration in school, lowered self-esteem, dysfunctional relationships, and ineffective coping skills.
Persistent emotional maltreatment of a child that causes severe and persistent adverse effects on the child’s emotional development is known as emotional abuse. Children that are constantly humiliated, shamed, or rejected, often see themselves as worthless and incapable of being successful. This can lead to depression, lack of concentration in school, lowered self-esteem, dysfunctional relationships, and ineffective coping skills.
·
Child labour
Child labour is usually cause by poverty in Nigeria, which is highly practiced as a result of parents not being able to cater for their children, it deals with the family's economic status, size of the household and also the parent's education level. It refers to work that is mentally, physically, socially, or morally dangerous and harmful to children, deprives them of the opportunity to attend school. Nigerian children work in a wide range of sectors and industries. In rural areas, children mostly work in agriculture. They are responsible for planting, weeding, harvesting crops, and tending to livestock. In urban areas they work as vendors, shoe shiners, car washers, drug peddlers, and construction workers, etc. Child labour reduces universal primary education in Nigeria.
Child labour is usually cause by poverty in Nigeria, which is highly practiced as a result of parents not being able to cater for their children, it deals with the family's economic status, size of the household and also the parent's education level. It refers to work that is mentally, physically, socially, or morally dangerous and harmful to children, deprives them of the opportunity to attend school. Nigerian children work in a wide range of sectors and industries. In rural areas, children mostly work in agriculture. They are responsible for planting, weeding, harvesting crops, and tending to livestock. In urban areas they work as vendors, shoe shiners, car washers, drug peddlers, and construction workers, etc. Child labour reduces universal primary education in Nigeria.
·
Child Neglect
Child neglect is defined as a failure to provide basic needed care for the child such as shelter, food, clothing, education, supervision, medical care, and other basic necessities needed for the child’s physical, intellectual, and emotional development.There are various categories of neglect such as physical, medical, environmental neglect, emotional neglect, and educational. Neglected children usually have intellectual, physical, social, psychological and developmental problems in Nigeria. They are often socially withdrawn, suffer from malnutrition, and are susceptible to several fatalities due to the absence of caregivers at critical moments.
Child neglect is defined as a failure to provide basic needed care for the child such as shelter, food, clothing, education, supervision, medical care, and other basic necessities needed for the child’s physical, intellectual, and emotional development.There are various categories of neglect such as physical, medical, environmental neglect, emotional neglect, and educational. Neglected children usually have intellectual, physical, social, psychological and developmental problems in Nigeria. They are often socially withdrawn, suffer from malnutrition, and are susceptible to several fatalities due to the absence of caregivers at critical moments.
·
POVERTY
Poverty is one factor that has led to the persistence of child abuse in Nigeria. Poverty causes educational disadvantages. It causes children to be out of school and into the streets, with the aim of earning a living or combining the money they earn with their parents’ income.This predicament exposes children to the wrong people allowing them to become criminals or possibly victims of road accidents or endure sexual or physical abuse. Parents marry off their daughters at an early age, mostly to improve the economic position of the family, many neglecting their children in their bid for the purpose of making more money and sustaining the family. Poverty also forces some children to participate in dangerous activities like prostitution, drug trafficking, and robbery.
Poverty is one factor that has led to the persistence of child abuse in Nigeria. Poverty causes educational disadvantages. It causes children to be out of school and into the streets, with the aim of earning a living or combining the money they earn with their parents’ income.This predicament exposes children to the wrong people allowing them to become criminals or possibly victims of road accidents or endure sexual or physical abuse. Parents marry off their daughters at an early age, mostly to improve the economic position of the family, many neglecting their children in their bid for the purpose of making more money and sustaining the family. Poverty also forces some children to participate in dangerous activities like prostitution, drug trafficking, and robbery.
·
CORRUPTION
Corruption is defined as an abuse of position or inducement of an abuse of position for an undeserved benefit, advantage, or relief. Corruption is a major factor contributing to the low level of recognition and protections that is given to children. Sometimes, even when funds are released to the states or a local government for the purpose of working on a project benefiting the welfare of children, the money is not fully utilized for that particular purpose and is diverted to personal pockets. Corruption is also a major reason why people perform acts like kidnapping and trafficking children in Nigeria.
Corruption is defined as an abuse of position or inducement of an abuse of position for an undeserved benefit, advantage, or relief. Corruption is a major factor contributing to the low level of recognition and protections that is given to children. Sometimes, even when funds are released to the states or a local government for the purpose of working on a project benefiting the welfare of children, the money is not fully utilized for that particular purpose and is diverted to personal pockets. Corruption is also a major reason why people perform acts like kidnapping and trafficking children in Nigeria.
·
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN
Women who are victims of domestic violence cannot adequately take care of their children because they are more pre-occupied with their own abuse. Children need their mothers, and when the mother’s rights are violated, the children are at greater risk. Implementation of women’s rights will have a positive impact on the lives of children. Women who are in the right frame of mind and are respected in their homes are in a better position to care, protect, and provide for their children. Furthermore, pregnant women who suffer violence are at a high-risk of giving birth to deformed babies, who are usually neglected after birth in Nigeria.
Women who are victims of domestic violence cannot adequately take care of their children because they are more pre-occupied with their own abuse. Children need their mothers, and when the mother’s rights are violated, the children are at greater risk. Implementation of women’s rights will have a positive impact on the lives of children. Women who are in the right frame of mind and are respected in their homes are in a better position to care, protect, and provide for their children. Furthermore, pregnant women who suffer violence are at a high-risk of giving birth to deformed babies, who are usually neglected after birth in Nigeria.
3.0 STATISTICS
ON PHYSICAL ABUSE IN NIGERIA
This is
the statistics that shows a part of physical abuse practiced in Nigeria under
child abuse. According to the statistics, Assault carries the highest
percentage which is a very huge problem being faced in Nigeria.
Assault and
violence against children is a problem faced and nothing is done about it by
the government.
STATISTICS
OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN NIGERIA
According
to thestatistics below, it shoes the percentage of violence of men against
women, women against men and also against children, and it shows the percentage for violence of
men against women to be higher which is another root caus eof physical abuse
that is highly overlooked in Nigeria.
4.0 INTERVIEW
SAMPLE
Stories from women who have experienced abusive
relationships
Jane: My journey to hell and back began twelve
years ago.
Katherine: When his violence became much
worse and was being directed at the children, I changed.
Jody: I know what it’s like to be
disregarded and disrespected by the legal system.
Anna: It took me a lot
of false starts, but eventually I stepped out of an abusive relationship.
Maria: It’s quite a
terrible thing to admit that you have been in two abusive relationships.
Alex: I believed he wanted to change. We
even went to counselling together.
Jenna: We had our good times but once we
were married, his desire to control everything became more obvious.
Kaz: I began to believe that it was my
fault and felt like I was in this rollercoaster that I couldn’t get off.
D: I look in the eyes of my baby girl and
know that she watched every bit. It helped to be able to see the truth.
Ann: I told him to stop but he
wouldn’t, and I pushed him away but he pushed me back.
Julie: After we broke up, he started
to stalk me.
Sallie: Falling in love doesn’t mean
the guy is right for you.
L: Now
I stand up to him when he gives orders.
Kazza: Then over time, sex became more
important to him than being together.
Angel: He pushed me into
prostitution.
Lena: I married an abusive man who
had a severe drinking problem.
Tina: It
got to a stage where I didn’t know what the truth was and what was a lie.
Isobel: I
felt like a dog on a chain and I couldn’t get off it.
Donna: The
more I stayed with him the more it destroyed my self esteem.
5.0 CONCLUSION
In
conclusion, The problems of child maltreatment,
domestic violence, and elder abuse have generated hundreds of separate
interventions in social service, health, and law enforcement settings. This
array of interventions has been driven by the urgency of the different types of
family violence, client needs, and the responses of service providers,
advocates, and communities.
This
research carried out on physical abuse
shows the main root cause is domestic violence against women which can
be as a result of poverty, pyschological and mental problems, intolerance, and insensitivity.
The
society we live in also matters which has to do with theenvironmental factor
whereby people live in a place where they cant speak up for themselves when
they are abused.
6.0 REFERENCES
https://www.ukessays.com/essays/social-work/the-causes-and-effects-of-child-abuse-social-work-essay.php
