Every year, on June 4th, the international community comes together to observe the International Day of Children Innocent Victims of Aggression. The purpose of the day is to acknowledge the tragic consequences faced by countless children throughout the world who are the victims of physical, mental and emotional abuse (United Nations, n.d.).
Violence against children is something that hits close to home in Nigeria as many children are affected by one form of aggression or the other such as armed conflict, terrorism, violence, and abuse. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), a staggering six out of every ten children in the country endure one or more forms of physical, sexual, or emotional violence before they turn 18 (UNICEF, 2016). Even worse, over 70% of these children experience such violence repeatedly, including acts of physical abuse such as punching, kicking, whipping, burning, choking, attempts to drown, threats, or assaults with weapons. Also, sexual violence affects one in four girls and one in ten boys, while emotional violence afflicts one in five boys and one in six girls.
The aforementioned statistics on child violence in Nigeria are alarming. It is very disturbing that the perpetrators are often individuals who the child knows, and the violence frequently occurs in places where they are supposedly safe havens for the child, such as their own homes, a neighbor’s residence, school, or the journey to and from school. Sadly, the majority of children never disclose their ordeal, as they are silenced by fear, shame, stigma, and a lack of awareness about where to seek assistance. Less than five percent of victimized children receive the necessary support for their recovery (UNICEF, 2016).
There are many tragic consequences of aggression faced by countless children in Nigeria; leaving lasting physical, emotional, and psychological scars. One of the main ways exposure to violence affects children is by disrupting their education, thereby limiting their opportunities for growth and putting them at a higher risk of being recruited into armed groups or forced into child labor (Amnesty International, 2021). The emotional and psychological trauma resulting from aggression can profoundly impact children’s well-being and future prospects by hindering their ability to learn and thrive academically.
According to a study by Betancourt et al. (2010), many children experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and fear, which hinder their ability to form healthy relationships, impede cognitive development, and hamper their educational achievements.The constant state of hypervigilance and emotional distress makes it challenging for them to focus on learning tasks and absorb new information effectively.
Additionally, when children face physical aggression, the direct physical injuries resulting from their abuse can lead to absenteeism and difficulty in attending school regularly. Children may require medical treatment or recovery time, which disrupts their attendance and hampers their academic progress. Moreover, the fear and anxiety caused by the threat of violence can make children reluctant to attend school, leading to chronic absenteeism or even dropout.
Schools are meant to be a safe and nurturing environment for learning, growth, and social interaction. Hence, when violence infiltrates these spaces, children feel insecure and vulnerable. The fear of being targeted or bullied by aggressors, including classmates or teachers, creates a hostile learning environment that stifles children’s engagement and participation in academic activities. The lack of adequate provisions for counseling, therapy, and psychosocial support in many schools further hinders their ability to cope with trauma and regain a sense of stability necessary for effective learning.
One of the pivotal actors in addressing the needs and plight of children who are victims of aggression in Nigeria are Non-government organizations (NGOs), specifically those that work with children. These NGOs can provide scholarships, educational materials, and psychosocial support to help children overcome the trauma they have experienced and regain a sense of normalcy. For example, the FlexiSAF Foundation in Nigeria empowers disadvantaged children, including those affected by different forms of aggression, by providing them with access to quality education, life changing mentorship, and guidance & counseling.
Therefore, as we commemorate the International Day of Children Innocent Victims of Aggression 2023, let us reflect on the tragic consequences of aggression faced by countless children the world over and see what role we can play to support these children and facilitate a healing process for them. This could be through advocacy, sponsoring an affected child through school, setting up support groups and starting or supporting initiatives for reintegration and preventive measures, and volunteering with a children’s NGO. Creating safe and supportive learning environments, providing trauma-informed care, and offering comprehensive support services are crucial in helping these children overcome the barriers to education and reclaim their right to learn and thrive.
References:
- Amnesty International. (2021). Nigeria 2020-2021. Retrieved from https://www.amnesty.org/en/countries/africa/nigeria/report-nigeria/
- Betancourt, T. S., Agnew-Blais, J., Gilman, S. E., Williams, D. R., & Ellis, B. H. (2010). Past horrors, present struggles: The role of stigma in the association between war experiences and psychosocial adjustment among former child soldiers in Sierra Leone. Social science & medicine, 70(1), 17-26.
- UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund). (2016). Ending violence against children in Nigeria. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/nigeria/reports/ending-violence-against-children-nigeria
- UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund). (2018). World has failed to protect children in conflict in 2018: UNICEF. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/world-has-failed-protect-children-conflict-2018-unicef.
- United Nations. (n.d.). International Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression 4 June. Retrieved from https://www.un.org/en/observances/child-victim-day