Worrisome rising cases of child abuse

“Mother kills child”, “Pastor chains son over witchcraft allegation”, “Woman kills maid”, “Man stabs girl”…these are some of the very bizarre and shocking headline stories that dominate the media on a daily basis.

Mostly affected in this abuse or violence are the children, who seem to have become an endangered species. There is no doubt that the rate of domestic violence and child abuse in Nigeria today is very alarming and underreported.

From East to West, North to South, the situation is the same. More worrisome about the vice is the involvement of the so-called pastors and men of God who are supposed to be shinning examples in our society.

Meanwhile, it is an understatement to say that there has been a prevalence of child and spousal abuse and violence resulting in some being badly injured and others rightly fatal.

Still fresh in the memory of Nigerians is the case of the nine-year old boy, Korede Taiwo, who was chained and starved for one month in Abeokuta, Ogun State Capital by his father, Pastor Francis Taiwo, for alleged stealing of meat.

Also of note is the case of the 39-year old Nigerian woman who burnt a girl’s thighs with hot iron after accusing her of stealing her N1,000 in Oshodi area of Lagos State.

The woman, Mrs. Kudirat Isekolowo, who lives at Igbehinadun area of Oshodi, said she did not know what came over her when she carried out the act.

There have been several cases of this magnitude happening on a daily basis across the country, but have been swept under the carpet, due to several factors, which include ignorance, family pressure, poverty, threats, religion, tradition, lack of laws and others.

Despite efforts by some government and non-governmental agencies towards total eradication of child abuse and domestic violence, the monster has continued to rear its ugly head, thereby raising questions on what is the real cause and why is it spreading unhindered.