The Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Mrs Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi, has warned families against prioritising their reputation over the protection of children who suffer sexual abuse.
Vivour-Adeniyi, who was the chief reviewer of Flora’s Flower, a book written by journalist and child rights advocate, Funmi Ajumobi, said the culture of silence surrounding child sexual abuse often prevented survivors from speaking out and perpetrators from being held accountable
The review highlighted how family pressure, stigma and fear of public embarrassment could discourage parents and guardians from reporting abuse, leaving affected children without the protection and support they need
The book tells the story of Flora, a 16-year-old secondary school student who suffers abuse by people she knows and trusts, and explores how poor communication and silence can allow abuse to continue
Vivour-Adeniyi stressed the need for parents to create safe environments where children could discuss their experiences without fear of blame, intimidation or rejection
The review also cautioned against excessive parental control that isolates children from trusted adults who could recognise signs of abuse and offer help
It urged parents and guardians to take children’s disclosures seriously, report suspected abuse promptly and seek assistance from designated health facilities, trauma centres and relevant authorities
On access to justice, the review noted that prosecuting offenders was not enough, stressing the need for counselling, medical care, psychosocial support and educational reintegration for survivors
It also called for stronger collaboration among government agencies, law enforcement authorities, schools, healthcare providers and civil society organisations to improve child protection and support services
The review further urged schools to provide trained counsellors and clear reporting channels, while encouraging religious institutions and community leaders to challenge the stigma associated with sexual abuse
It stressed that children who experience abuse must not be blamed for the actions of perpetrators, adding that protecting family reputation should never take precedence over a child’s safety and wellbeing
Vivour-Adeniyi also recommended the use of Flora’s Flower in schools, parent forums, religious institutions and community outreach programmes to promote awareness of child protection and encourage the reporting of abuse