• Itsekiri NextGen Project: 2023 Session 20 Report
• Topic: Sexual Abuse
• Date: 17th June 2023
• Volunteers Present: 2
• Total Number of Attendees: 80
• Timings: 10:00am – 1:00pm
• Venue: Former Caravan 4, Aja-Pessu (Pessu Town), Warri
• Resource Person: Barrister Oritsetimeyin Moses Otaru 

Summary

Child Sexual abuse is a menace in our society and some perpetrators intentionally harm a minor physically, psychologically and sexually. The session was slated to get the participants informed on what to do when an abuser gets close to them. 

Session Delivery

Sexual abuse is prevalent in our society, Pessu community inclusive, and cases of it are reported on a daily basis. Then a review of the previous session was done. The participants were reminded of the importance of keeping the environment clean.

The session began with a prayer and the Itsekiri anthem. Then Barrister Oritsetimeyin Moses Otaru came up to facilitate the session.

According to Child rights law 2008, a child is any human being under the age of 18. A child does not have the ability to agree to certain things e.g. marriage, contract etc. It is glaring that most of the participants are below 18 years of age. This makes them fall under the category of children. 

The facilitator asked them to tell some things adults can do and children cannot do. One of the responses was an adult can fend for him/herself and the family.

The facilitator went further to say that a child can’t drive a car, can drink alcohol, can’t get into a sexual relationship, can’t give permission and consent. He told them sexual abuse is an illegal transaction involving an abuser and a victim, and sometimes a co-conspirator.

It comes in the form of ;

• Rape
• Pornography
• Indecent exposure
• Sexual assault

They were made to know that sexual abusers are everywhere in our society.  One could hear a murmur from the participants as they said family members can also abuse a child. Some participants think that sexual abuse is associated with girls only but were made to understand that boys too are also abused but most times it gets concealed. They were advised to speak out whenever anyone makes an attempt on them. They should shout, flee and also report to a trusted person.

Volunteers

• Debi Amadedon
• Emmanuel Egbe

Other key activities during the session

• Videos of sexual abuse were displayed.

What went wrong 

• The participants came in late