Sexual Abuse of the Boy Child
In an increasingly decadent society, the innocence of our young ones is continually being violated. We should always encourage our children to speak up about any form of sexual abuse, as a sexually abused child becomes a scarred adult regardless of their future profession. This includes roles such as parent, teacher, farmer, business mogul, doctor, politician, law enforcement agent, priest, pilot, lawyer, or any other occupation.
It is imperative to acknowledge the rising incidence of sexual harassment and abuse against boys by both males and females who may be relatives, authority figures, helps, school teachers and so on. A significant concern arises from the tendency to relax our protective measures around our boys, based on the erroneous belief that they are less vulnerable than girls especially when they are around older females or relatives(male or female).
This emotional distress can cause strained relationships, particularly with their peers, and can have lasting effects on a child’s development. Childhood trauma, whether mild or severe, can manifest in adulthood as depression, affecting an individual’s mental well-being.
Consequently, these individuals become more susceptible to organized criminal groups, cults, addictions, substance abuse, and numerous psychological difficulties that adversely affect them and society as a whole.
This serves as a stark reminder to all relevant stakeholders, including parents, guardians, educators, teachers, community leaders, and others, to diligently observe, listen attentively, provide education, and take proactive measures to safeguard our children from any form of abuse, particularly sexual abuse.
This is a wake-up call to all parents, guardians, educators, teachers, community leaders, and other relevant stakeholders to observe, listen to, educate, and protect our children from any form of abuse, especially sexual abuse.
What is child sexual abuse?
Child sexual abuse encompasses a spectrum of unlawful sexual acts, including:
The possession of images depicting child sexual abuse
The compulsion of a child to remove their clothing or engage in masturbatory acts
Engaging in any form of sexual activity in the presence of a child, including the viewing of pornography
The acquisition, downloading, viewing, or distribution of sexual images depicting children
Encouraging a child to perform sexual acts in the presence of a webcam
Failing to implement measures to safeguard a child from witnessing sexual activity or images
Inappropriate sexual contact with a child, regardless of whether they are clothed or not
Penetrative sexual acts
Perpetrators of child sexual abuse?
Most children who have experienced sexual abuse were abused by someone they knew, including family members, friends, family friends, teachers, or sports coaches. Children can also be sexually abused online by someone they know. The abuse can be a single, isolated incident, or the perpetrator can establish a relationship with the child (Grooming).
People who sexually abuse children can be adult, adolescent or a child themselves.
Most abusers are male, but females do abuse children too.
Around a third of child sexual abuse is carried out by other, usually older, children or young people.
9 out of 10 children know or are related to their abuser. Child sexual abuse frequently occurs within the confines of the child’s residence or the abuser’s home.
However, it is also possible for sexual abuse to transpire outside the home, such as in leisure and sports clubs.
Notice when an abuser is providing a child with preferential treatment, offering them gifts, treats, and outings. They may also seek out opportunities to be alone with the child.
Grooming
Grooming refers to the preparatory stage of child sexual abuse, encompassing a diverse range of behaviors and/or verbal or written communications directed at children or young individuals, or significant adults, with the intention of facilitating sexual contact and preventing disclosure. Online grooming can manifest through various platforms, including mobile devices and interactive applications such as chat and instant messaging services, social media platforms, and gaming environments. Perpetrators often leverage these platforms as entry points to initiate contact with children.
It is noteworthy that the perpetrator may also groom the child’s parents, caregivers, and other significant adults, including organizations. This can pose challenges for parents and caregivers in identifying potential grooming behavior, as grooming actions often resemble genuine expressions of care and concern.
Grooming can lead to a child developing a distorted perception of their relationship with the perpetrator, causing confusion about the nature of the bond. This can result in internalizing the abuse as their own fault, resulting in a sense of responsibility for any harm experienced and fear of being blamed, punished, or not believed. Additionally, children may fear being separated from their family or home if they speak out against the abuse. Furthermore, they may believe that disclosing the abuse will cause harm to someone or something they love and care for, such as family members or pets.
Children more vulnerable to sexual abuse?
Disabled children are particularly susceptible to sexual abuse, particularly if they struggle with speech or language impairments. This was one of the reasons why Cope and Live Mental Health Awareness Foundation chose the Special Education Centre at Ogbete, (School for the hearing and speech impaired), to launch our 2025 Q1 intervention themed Child and Adolescent Mental Health. At this school, we interface with these children and provide them avenues to downplay abuse, increase resilience and improve their mental wellbeing and mental health.
Children who are experiencing neglect or other forms of abuse are also at increased risk.
Children who have previously experienced abuse are more vulnerable to sexual assault.
Children who reside in families where there is child neglect are particularly at risk.
Children can also be at risk when using the internet. Social media, chat rooms, and web forums are all utilized by child sex abusers to groom potential victims.
Report child sexual abuse
It is imperative to address suspected child sexual abuse promptly. Call us immediately you suspect abuse.
If you are a healthcare professional and suspect that a child in your care is experiencing or at risk of abuse, you can contact us, the police or other law enforcement agencies anonymously.
If you are concerned about your own thoughts or behavior towards children or if you are a child and someone is sexually abusing you, you can seek help and advice by calling us immediately on +234 814 831 8965. Or email us: info@copeandlive.foundation
Signs that a child is being sexually abused?
Children frequently refrain from disclosing instances of sexual abuse due to the misconception that it is their fault or the abuser’s manipulation of them into believing it is normal or a “special secret.”
Additionally, children may be subjected to bribes or threats by their abuser, or they may be told that their concerns will not be taken seriously.
Furthermore, a child who is being sexually abused may harbor feelings of care for their abuser and be concerned about the potential consequences for their abuser.
Here are some indicators that may suggest the presence of sexual abuse:
Behavioral Signs
Acting Younger or Reverting to Childlike Behavior.
Sudden changes in behavior, such as aggression, withdrawal, clinginess, sleep disturbances, nightmares, or bedwetting.
Fear of being alone with a specific person.
Unexplained fears of certain places or individuals (e.g., all people with a particular physical characteristic).
Excessive online time, texting, or gaming.
Fear of physical touch.
Secrecy about online activities or conversations.
Academic difficulties, including concentration problems and declining grades, as a result of abuse. Refusal to attend school.
Changes in schoolwork quality or grades.
Substance abuse or substance misuse.
Sexually inappropriate behavior, including verbal or physical sexual acts.
Sexualized play or behavior with other children.
Inappropriate knowledge of sex for their age.
Lack of peer relationships.
Delinquent behavior.
Seeming distant, upset, or angry after using the internet or texting.
Avoiding the abuser due to dislike or fear.
Self-mutilation or careless behaviors resulting in self-harm. Self-harm or suicidal attempts.
Excessive play with private body parts.
Persistent sexual play with friends, toys, or pets.
Frequent drawings with sexual content.
Unusual, persistent, or developmentally inappropriate questions about human sexuality.
Subtle hints or clues that the abuse is occurring without explicit disclosure.
Physical Signs
Consuming more or less than the customary amount of food.
The child may develop health problems, including genital and anal discomfort, or sexually transmitted infections.
Pain, itching, bleeding, bruising, or unusual discharge from the genital area or anus.
Having trouble sleeping
Soiling or wetting clothes, or bedwetting (or an increase, if it happens already)
Stomachaches
Bed-wetting
Underwear stained with blood or other discharge
Problems walking or sitting
If your child shows any of the physical signs listed above, take him or her to a doctor right away.
Emotional Signs
Severe anxiety, including nightmares or excessive clinginess.
Depression, characterized by symptoms such as withdrawal, low self-esteem, suicidal ideation or attempts, and frequent crying.
Extreme anger, manifesting in forms such as tantrums, aggression, or heightened irritability.
Talk to your doctor or the counselor at your child’s school if your child shows any of these emotional signs or contact us immediately.
Effects of Sexual Abuse on a Child
Sexual abuse can inflict severe and enduring physical and emotional harm upon children, both in the immediate and long-term contexts.
In the short term, victims of sexual abuse may experience a range of health complications, including sexually transmitted infections, physical injuries, and unwanted pregnancies.
In the long term, individuals who have endured sexual abuse are at a significantly elevated risk of developing mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). They are also more prone to engaging in self-harmful behaviors, involvement in violent or criminal activities, substance misuse (including alcohol and drugs), and premature death by suicide as young adults. Others include:
Sexual difficulties
Inability to form lasting relationships
Identity difficulties
Relationship problems
Parenting difficulties
The Writer Reverend Chukwudiebube Nwachukwu successfully completed the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Interventions(SAMHI) Dual Diagnosis training. He possesses a Level 3 Mental Health Diploma. He is a Grief and Bereavement, Addiction and Depression Counsellor; A couple counsellor, An Emotional Intelligence and CBT Life Coach; An EMDR therapist.
If things are getting out of hand, please call us on +234 814 831 8965 or send us an Email at: info@copeandlive.foundation