Help to Stop Child Sexual Abuse in Nigeria

2019 Achievement so far

 When the Foundation officially became partner of The GlobalGiving in March 2019, it committed itself to impact positively not less than 1500 families in its fight to prevent and reduce the alarming statistics on child sexual abuse its first quarter.  So far, we have impacted 3941 families

Our Data 

Case Reported - 54

New Client - 51

Legal Support - 47

Medical Services - 9

Online Counselling - 251

Adult Awareness - 350

Safe Kids Awareness Program - 2481

Child Helpline - 1902

Face to face Counselling - 51

We have recorded tremendous successes from securing a 30years sentence perpetrator, facilitated arrest and instituted criminal proceedings against over 14 perpetrators, provided 51 clients and non-offending family members with face to face counselling and other psychosocial support.

Other successes include:

Provision of services for 1902 calls (children and adults) with Inclusivity and multicultural support through our Child Helpline

Our trained Child helpline counsellors currently receives an average of 400 calls per month. We are proud of our 10 multicultural and multi religious counsellors who communicate fluently in Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo language, and who are of Christian and Islamic faiths. We ensure that every caller receives help without any language or religious barrier. This quarter we added male counsellors to support little boys or men who feel more comfortable speaking to the same gender.

Equipping professionals on Child Protection

With the support from United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), we have empowered 50 schools on the appropriate measures to safeguard children from all forms of abuse especially sexual abuse. 100 participants representing 50 schools were trained on their responsibilities and roles as a mandated reporter.  

Participant’ feedback: “The detailing that was put in by the Cece Yara Foundation still blows my mind.. Everything was laid out to learn, leaving every participant with a great burden and the zeal to do more for children”; “This workshop was to international standard”

In the coming period, another set of 100 hundred professionals will also be trained with the support of Public Health Institute, USA – Rise Up Project

Prevention – Safe Kids Awareness Program

we have also reached out to 2481 children in Lagos state equipping them with safety skills - recognizing sexual abuse, how to get help, and being assertive about body boundaries.

Community Pledging to end child sexual abuse

With the support from UNICEF, over 250 stakeholders (religious, traditional and youth leaders) who were beneficiaries of our Community Awareness Program in 3 Communities - Ajeromi, Somolu and Gaskiya in Lagos state pledged to end child sexual by reacting and responding appropriately to cases of child sexual abuse in their respective communities.

Forensic interviews

Forensic Interview have been instrumental in building criminal cases against alleged perpetrators,

our forensic interview specialists carried out 13 interviews this quarter.

Our multi-disciplinary Team at work - A unique Way of Caring for our Clients

Our Multi-Disciplinary Team interfaces with child protection stakeholders; and enable a coordinated multi-disciplinary approach by lawyers, forensic interviewers, social workers, child advocates, medical personnel, the police, State Child Welfare Departments and the Ministry of justice. The Team has attended to 77 cases of child sexual abuse involving children ranging from 2 years old to 18 years old. Our Case Management Team conduct social assessment and verification of information, assist client to access sexual assault referral centre, medical facilities for examination and treatment, visiting the police station to document cases, facilitate the arrest of perpetrator and institution of the matter in court and providing shelters for survivors and non-offending family members or referring them to specialise shelter.

WARIF@CeceYara

The Cece Yara Foundation and Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF) share a common vision and have collaborated to provide the survivors of child sexual abuse with specialist medical examination and treatment services at Child Advocacy Centre. This is in line with best practice and our vision of having a truly one stop child advocacy center, where children can have all support services provided without the re-traumatization of visiting multiple agencies.

Radio Program

The Cece Yara Team participated in an interactive radio programme on Lagos Talks 91.3 to discuss child sexual abuse. We used the opportunity to talk to over 21 million people in Lagos State and across Nigeria on prevention, symptoms, and appropriate ways of responding to child sexual abuse.

Children Shelter opens

Our child friendly shelter began operation during this quarter. The shelter provides temporary accommodation for children who need to be urgently removed from an abusive environment. 

Our client in her feedback said “I am really happy, and feel safe being here, knowing that I will not see that evil wicked uncle again”.

Adult Prevention & Awareness Documentary

We recently produced a documentary that show-cases the difficulties victims of child sexual abuse face when they are not adequately protected. The documentary which will be formally screened in June 2019 aims to sensitize people about child sexual abuse.

We want to thank our partners and donors for their incredible support; the lives we touch, the children we save, would have been impossible without you.