From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
A Non-Governmental Organization, Challenged Parenthood Initiative, (CPI) has cried out over high cases of sexual abuse against boys in Kogi State.
The Executive Director of CPI Eunice Abimbo Agbogun who disclosed this during the Pay Attention to Him (PATH) project held in Lokoja yesterday, said one out of ten boys is being sexually abused in Kogi State.
Agbogun stressed that, globally, one out of six Boys suffers from sexual abuse which is currently high and needs urgent attention.
Agbogun added that, over time, there has been advocacy on issues around the Girl Child, while enough attention has not been given to that of the Boy Child.
She lamented that many boys in Kogi State and Nigeria in general have been sexually abused but under reported because of fear of intimidation and stigmatization.
According to her, the PATH project was initiated to address molestation, sexual abuse and all manner of negative influence affecting the Boy Child.
“We do not want to lose our Boy Child completely, so we feel we can start something quickly. Now, it is time to start. Many people do not know that Boys are sexually abused on daily basis, thinking that it girls alone.
“The impression in the public is that, only Girls, Women are sexually abused, which is totally wrong and should be corrected before things get out of hand.
“From statistics, we have discovered that one out of every 10 boys before they turn 13 are sexually abused in Kogi and Nigeria in general. This is very high. One in six Boys globally are also sexually abused. That is a high statistic, so we need to pay attention and begin to do something drastically now.
“When boys are abused, they always maintain the culture of silence. This sensitization now will help them to speak out. Just as before now, with the girl Child, there has been a culture of silence, but because of advocacy, and sensitization, People are more confident that they can cry for help.
“We need to balance the equation by shifting our attention to the Boy Child, so that we can nip this issue in the bud”.
On the way out to reduce sexually abuse against the Boy Child, the Executive Director of CPI called on public spirited individual, Government at all level to support the organization in a bid to change the narrative that Boys are the only perpetuators of violence.
In her speech, a medical Student from the University of Ilorin, Ola-Dahunsi Mercy said the project will help to groom young boys into better Men.
Continuing, she said “The cases of sexual abuse against Boys are under reported. Some of this Boys don’t know they have been sexually abuse. It is when you are educated about something, that you will know that this is wrong or right. Some don’t speak up, as their self-esteem has been broken down to the lowest end.
“Many of them are not free to tell their Parents, or Teachers that they have been abused, but rather, they prefer to keep quiet because they feel those spaces are just for females. Boys need the same attention as Girls.”
A broadcaster with the Nigeria Television Authority, Lokoja, Hajia Khadija Abubakar Isah in her remarks, called on the Government to create more awareness on sexual abuse of Boys, adding that, they should also create policies that will ensure that cases of sexual abuse against Boys are reported and offenders prosecuted.
“It is time for these young People to know that, it is time to speak up because they are humans. Abuse, molestation, of whatever kind is unacceptable and must be cried out. These young People need to choose for themselves, and know some of the signs and who the abuses could be and what they can do to protect themselves” she added.