‘She Told Us What Happened’: Parents Demand Justice for Allegedly Sexually Abused 5-Year-Old
The parents of a five-year-old girl in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State are seeking for justice as their young daughter was suspected of having been sexually abused by a neighbour, a case that has sparked fresh concern to ensure children’s safety from sexual abuse in their communities.
The family reported the incident took place last week Thursday when the child came home from school. Her mother was worried when the girl returned home with roasted groundnuts and asked her where she bought them.
In the course of the discussion, the child revealed that a neighbour had taken the child into a room, stripped her down, made her do inappropriate things and handed her money to purchase the snack.
The parents immediately reported the case to the police. The child was then sent to a hospital for further evaluation, where it was allegedly determined that the child had evidence of child sexual abuse. The suspect has now been arrested and the case handed over for further investigation.
The father of the girl has called on the Plateau State Police Command and other relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate the case and make justice prevail.
The case underscores the need to educate children on how to keep their bodies safe, to speak out when something feels “off,” and to make sure they have trusted adults who will listen and take action, child protection advocates say.
These include the provision of medical care, trauma-informed counselling and sustained psychosocial support for children impacted by sexual abuse throughout the justice system.,
