According to World Health Organization (WHO), a child falls within the age group of 0 - 19 years. Some countries further include any one less than or up to 21 years.
Child abuse can be defined as 'an intentional or neglectful physical or emotional injury imposed on a child, including sexual molestation.' (Garner 2013:10) Child abuse violates the United Nation Declaration of Human Rights, the United Nation's Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted in 2014 and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the African Child.
Child abuse can be seen as situation whereby the fundamental human right of a child is tempered with. That is, the child is not given adequate care and protection as it's the responsibility of every parent to take good care of their children. This rights are right to education, religion, freedom, movement, shelter etc. The child on most occasion is exposed to unnecessary hardship and odds in life.
The study examined the Public Complaint Commission And the Protection Of Child's Right In State, 2012 - 2022.
The objective of this study is causes, types and effects of child abuse on the child, the family and the nation. The work is meant to draw closer attention on this increasing scourge and access measures of addressing to preserve the fundamental human rights of the child as entrenched under the State Child Right Act.
In the study, the researcher defined what child abuse is; the various forms of child abuse, and also identified some of the causes and consequences of child abuse as a reflection of the societal problem and its impact on the life of the child. The study also evaluated the extent of damages it does to the abused child and the State society.
Child protection is the prevention of, and response to, exploitation, abuse, neglect, harmful practices and violence against children, including adolescents. Despite advancements in child rights over the past two decades notably, the rise in birth registration levels and declining rates of female genital mutilation (FGM), child marriage, rape and child labour significant acceleration is required to fully realize the rights of all children everywhere, in line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child and other global conventions, and to achieve the child protection-related SDGs.
Today in State, Child abuse, the offences of rape and defilement are on the increase. It has become a source of worry to the government, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders in the country. The effects o f these crimes on the victims can have a long lasting effect that transcends from physical to psychological. Sadly, there is also negative attitude of the society towards the victims which makes it difficult for them in most cases to report their occurrences. Due to poor investigation and some defects in the criminal justice system, most of the reported cases, even where prosecuted, usually end up leaving the accused off the hooks. Witnesses are generally reluctant to come to court to testify especially the victims for fear o f being discriminated against in the nearest future, hence, perpetrators of these offences quite often than not go scot free.
Therefore, this research proposes to identify some of the causes and consequences of child abuse as a reflection of the societal problem and its impact on the life of the child.
The first problem proposes to identify the various forms of child abuse in State, and evaluate the extent of damages it does to the abused child and the State society.
Secondly, we will examine how the State government is addressing the situation through its various Right institutions.
Thirdly, the psychological effects it has on the average State child and how they affect their future.