Declare national emergency on child abuse, psychiatrists beg FG

Mental health experts have called on the Federal Government to declare a national emergency on child abuse, warning that the rising incidence of physical, sexual, and emotional violence against children poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s prosperity.

They explained that declaring a national emergency would accelerate coordinated efforts to prevent rising cases of child abuse and protect children across the country.

The psychiatrists stressed that children exposed to abuse may suffer lasting consequences, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, behavioural problems, and impaired cognitive and emotional development.

The experts made the call in an exclusive interview with PUNCH Healthwise while reacting to the data from the United Nations Children’s Fund Nigeria’s Child Protection Mid-Year Review, which revealed that six in 10 Nigerian children experience abuse.

UNICEF Chief of Child Protection, Natalie McCauley, said the figure represents children whose safety is at risk.