Africans need to have OPEN CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THIS VERY SAD SITUATION. This book is written in layman’s terms, it is definitely accessible to everyone, parents, and teachers, students in high school or college, child advocates, victims, religious workers.
From the get go, the authors recognise that safe guarding the security of children is everyone’s responsibility starting with attentive parenting, legal protective policies and the role of the community. One of the most appealing parts in this book was the acknowledgement of the communal responsibility for safeguarding children especially when adults proactively protect those who are at risk of sexual abuse. This point in my opinion is an important addition to this book.
The section about the parent’s summit was equally a culturally appropriate addition, it informs parents of the risk factors of child sexual abuse, and the language that was used was candid and direct which is extremely important in naming who might be a potential perpetrator.
The book also provides an example of how to use local resources. Specifically the text directs victims to where they can report child sexual abuse such as family support units, juvenile welfare centres and particularly the Mirabel Centre, and the Women At Risk International Foundation (WARIF). The resources at the end of the book were excellent for any one who needs to report.
The dialogue between Leila, Loola and Mrs. Idris is a snap shot of the value of counselling to victims or perpetrators, which occurs in a sensitive and supportive way that does not blame the victim. The book is also informative in addressing the legal process of how perpetrators are processed in the Nigerian Legal System. I also appreciated that the book addressed how boys and men should be educated about sexual abuse and the importance of positive masculinity. WARIF is definitely a positive organisation in this line of work. It is important to
consider addressing TOXIC MASCULINITY in our environments because cultural norms that blame young girls and women for sexual abuse are rampant.
Victims should be encouraged to report perpetrators. I wonder if this issue could be explored further since sexual predators are repeat offenders and even if their first victim happened years ago, further reporting mechanism should be supported in future editions.
Lastly other additional areas that should be explored or considered for future additions would be support groups for parents of children that have been sexually abused, when sexual abuse happens it is often painful and can fracture families and communities.
Well done on writing this very important work on a topic that is usually shrouded in silence.
Mumba Mumba
Associate Professor of Speech at Lewis & Clark College
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