ABSTRACT
This study centres on the problem of child abuse. Its
effect as it affects the personality development of adolescent. It brings to
the fore the growing and alarming incidence of child abuse and its attendant
effects. It tries to identify those things that constitute, an abuse, the signs
of abuse and the characteristics of child abuse perpetrators. It went further
to describe the various types of child abuse. It concluded by proffering
solution and recommendations aimed at stemming the malaise of child abuse and
neglect.
TABLE
OF CONTENT
Title page ii
Certification iii
Dedication iv
Acknowledgement v
Abstract vi
Table of content vii
Definition of terms. ix
List of tables x
List of figures xi
Chapter One
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Child’s right 5
1.3 Statement of problems 8
1.4 Objectives of the study 8
1.5 Significance of the study 8
1.6 Research questions 9
1.7 Scope and limitation 9
Chapter Two
Literature review
2.0
Concept of adolescence 11
2.1
Epidemiology 13
2.2
Recognition of child abuse 15
2.3
Causes of child abuse 26
2.4
Risk factors for child abuse 28
2.5
Effect of child abuse 29
2.6
Primary Prevention of child abuse 34
Chapter Three
3.0 Methodology 38
3.1
Research design 38
3.2
Research population 38
3.3
Sample and sampling technique 39
3.4
Research instrument 39
3.5
Validity of instrument 39
3.6
Reliability of the instrument 40
3.7
Method of data collection 40
3.8
Method of data analysis 40
3.9
Ethical consideration 40
Chapter Four
4.0 Presentation and data analysis 42
Chapter Five
5.1 Discussion of findings 52
5.2 Conclusion 53
5.3 Recommendation 53
References 56
Appendix 58
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
In ancient times, general opinion accepted that children
could be beaten and abused. The
industrial exploitation of children
after the middle ages was commonplace, with no widespread protest. The
prevention of cruelty to children was beginning to be a matter of public
concern in the 18th century.
The broader concept of child abuse (which includes
battering) of recent origin. Its recognition have brought a spate of
conferences, symposia and publications. The concept itself has been broadened
to include not only physical violence, but sexual abuse, mental and emotional
maltreatment, neglect, deprivation and lack of opportunity. The consequences of
physical battering death, blindness, mental and emotional retardation, stunting
of growth is only one part of the whole picture of child abuse. Some
contributory factors of child abuse are poverty, alcohol and other drug abuse,
loneliness, immaturity and a host of other factors.
The media is full of reports about child abuse that you can’t
help but wonder how safe your child really is. While it’s a mistake to
become over protective and make your
child fearful, it is important to recognize the
actual risks and familiarize oneself with the signs of abuse.
In Nigeria,
the incidence of child abuse and neglect has been on the increase in recent
years. Even though there is no official figure on this vexed issue, the degree
of abuse has become so alarming. This prompted the wife of the Nations vice president, Mrs. Titi
Atiku to establish Non Government Organisation NGO with the sole responsibility of fighting against
all forms of maltreatment to children and women generally. (WOTCLEF) women
trafficking and child labour eradication foundation. This NGO has even some a step further by securing a
legislative bill seeking to eradicate all forms of abuse against children.
Child maltreatment
encompasses a spectrum of abusive
actions, or acts of commission, and lack of
actions or acts of omission, that
result in morbidity or death. Child
abuse may be narrowly defined as
intentional injuries to a child by a caretaker that result in bruises, burns,
fractures, lacerations, punctures, and organ damage. A broader definition would
include shoot and long term emotional consequences effect. Physical neglect,
and other acts of omission, may result in failure to thrive, develop, and
learn.
In the USA,
studies shows that more than 2.5 million cases of child abuse and neglect are
reported each year. Of these, 35 percent involve physical abuse, 15 percent
involve sexual abuse and 50 percent involve neglect, (American Academy
of Paediatrics, child abuse is common. Studies show that one in four girls and
one in eight boys will be sexually abused before they are 18 years old.
Child abuse or maltreatment includes physical abuse,
sexual abuse, psychologic abuse, and generally medical and educational neglect.
It is not always easy to recognize when a child has been
abused, children who have been mistreated are often afraid to tell anyone
because they think they will be blamed or that no one will believe them.
Because of the deteriorating effect of child abuse, reports must be made to
prevent it before it actually occur.
Not only do children suffer acutely from the physical and
mental cruelty of child abuse, they endure many long-term consequences,
including delays in reaching development
milestones, refusal to attend
school and separation anxiety disorders. Other consequences include an
increased likelihood of future substance abuse, aggressive behaviours,
high–risk health behaviours, criminal activity, somatization depressive and
affective disorders, personality disorders, post- traumatic stress disorder,
panic attacks, schizophrenia and abuse
of their own children and spouse. Recent research has shown that a loving,
caring and stimulating environment during the first three years of a child’s
life is important for proper brain development. This funding implies that
children who receive maltreatment in these early years may actually have sub
optimal brain development.
1.2 CHILD’S
RIGHT
One of the most encouraging signs of our times is the
awakening of the public to the needs and rights of children. The needs of
children and our duties towards them are enshrined in our constitution, the
relevant articles are:
a.
Article 24 prohibits employment of children
below the age of 14 in factories,
b.
Article 39 prevents abuse of children of tender
age, and
c.
Article 45 provides for free and compulsory
education for all children until they complete the age of 14 years.
UN DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD
The year 1959 ushered in a new era in child welfare. To
meet the special needs of the child. The general assembly of the United Nations
adopted on 20 November 1959,
the General Declaration of the Rights of the child. Nigeria is a signatory to this
Declaration.
1.
Right to develop in an atmosphere of affection
and security and, wherever possible, in the care and under the responsibility
of his/her parents.
2.
Right to enjoy the benefits of social security,
including nutrition, housing and medical care.
3.
Right to free education.
4.
Right to full opportunity for play and
recreation.
5.
Right to name and nationality.
6.
Right to special care, if handicapped.
7.
Right to be among the first to receive
protection and relief in times of disaster.
8.
Right to learn to be a useful member of society
and to develop in a healthy and normal manner and in conditions of freedom and
dignity.
9.
Right to be brought up in a spirit of
understanding, tolerance, friendship among people, peace and universal
brotherhood.
10.
Right to enjoy these rights, regardless of race,
colour, sex, religion, national or social origin.
A breach of any of these
child’s rights is considered an abuse
The spectrum of child maltreatment
Child maltreatment encompasses acts of commission, or
abuse, and acts of omission, or neglect by a caretaker that adversely affect
children. The act can be physical or emotional. The boundaries between these
areas are indistinct and emotional, physical abuse and neglect overlap and may
exist at the same or various times in the child’s life. Physical abuse that has
emotional components. Physical abuse and neglect invariably have short and long
term emotional consequences and may persist long after the physical wounds
heal.
1.3 STATEMENT OF
PROBLEM
In recent times the incidence of child abuse has reached
an alarming stage so much that, non governmental oragnisation, individuals and
the government have woken up to the need to reduce the occurrence to the barest
minimum if not totally preventing its occurrence. Hence the need for a work of
this nature to throw more light on what constitute an abuse, it causes
consequences, prevention and management.
1.4 OBJECTIVE OF
THE STUDY
1.
To identify those things which constitute an
abuse.
2.
To highlight the causes and risk factors of
child abuse.
3.
To determine the effect of child abuse on the
adolescent.
4.
To highlight some preventive measures.
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE
OF THE STUDY
The outcome of this research would enable the abused child
parents and society to recognize an abuse.
It would afford the society to acquire knowledge about the
causes of child abuse. It also would give an insight into the affect of child
abuse and finally, it would help to prevent and possibly manage child abuse.
1.6 RESEARCH
QUESTIONS
1.
Is there any relationship between high poverty
rate and child abuse?
2.
Is there any relationship between personal
history of abuse as a child and child abuse?
3.
Is there any relationship between high crime
rate and child abuse?
4.
Is there any relationship between unwanted
pregnancy and child abuse?
5.
Is there any relationship between lack of
parenting skills and child abuse?
1.7 SCOPE AND
LIMITATION
The research study is carried out in the somolu local
government of Lagos state. A total of 100 questionnaire was administered to
teenagers, young adults and adults which cut across the segment of the
community.
Despite all these, I believe much could have been achieved
if the research had enough fund and enough documented evidences.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
1.
Hysteria: A state of extreme excitement,
fear or anger in which a person or a group of population loses control of their
emotions and starts to cry, laugh.
2.
Epidemiology: The scientific study of the
spread and control of diseases.
3.
Adolescent: A young person who is
developing from a child into an adult. This falls between the ages 1 3 and 18.
4.
Puberty: The period of a person’s life
during which their sexual organs develop and they become capable of having
children.
5.
Metamorphosis: A process in which
somebody or something’s changes into something different.
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