Project Materials

EFFECTIVENESS OF WELFARE DEPARTMENT IN HANDLING CASE OF CHILD ABUSE IN NIGERIA

Chapter one

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

Child abuse is a ubiquitous issue that has a substantial impact on children’s well-being and development around the world. Child abuse is a major issue in Nigeria, with various forms of abuse (physical, emotional, sexual, and neglect) being recorded on a regular basis.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (2019), Nigeria has one of Africa’s worst rates of child maltreatment, prompting public outrage and raising questions about the welfare department’s efficiency in addressing these issues.

The welfare department, which is largely in charge of protecting children and promoting their rights, is critical in discovering and responding to abuse incidents (Ogunshola, 2021).

The Nigerian government has implemented several policies and procedures to address child abuse. The Child Rights Act of 2003, for example, strives to protect children from all sorts of abuse and neglect (Okwor and Amah, 2021).

Despite these legislative steps, implementing and enforcing these rules remains difficult. One key issue is a lack of proper resources and training for welfare department employees, which leads to inefficiencies in dealing with child abuse situations (Adeyemi, 2019).

Furthermore, social attitudes regarding child abuse frequently encourage silence on the subject, making it difficult for victims to seek treatment (Olufunke and Samuel, 2020).

Public awareness, inter-agency coordination, and community involvement all have an impact on the welfare department’s efficacy in dealing with child abuse situations.

According to research, effective intervention efforts must include not only the welfare department but also schools, health services, and law enforcement (Abdulkareem & Nwankwo, 2022).

Collaboration among these organisations is critical for a comprehensive approach to protecting children from abuse. However, poor communication and coordination among parties frequently impede effective responses to abuse instances (Eze, 2023).

Furthermore, cultural norms and values in Nigeria can exacerbate the problem of child abuse. Many communities maintain traditional beliefs that may help to normalise abusive behaviour.

For example, corporal punishment is still generally recognised as a form of discipline, leading to misunderstandings regarding the gravity of child abuse (Alao & Ijeoma, 2022).

To effectively combat child abuse, it is critical to question cultural norms and educate communities about children’s rights and the long-term effects of abuse on their development (Omoregie, 2023).

In recent years, there has been a rising realisation of the importance of taking a more proactive approach to child protection in Nigeria. This includes advocating for legislative changes, providing community education, and increasing financing for child welfare initiatives.

Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and international organisations have also joined the welfare department’s efforts to combat child abuse (Ajayi & Olabisi, 2022).

Nonetheless, the effectiveness of these interventions is debatable, emphasising the need for a thorough examination of the welfare department’s role in dealing with cases of child abuse.

The significance of examining the welfare department’s effectiveness in combating child abuse in Nigeria cannot be overstated. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of current practices is critical for creating more effective strategies and policies to protect vulnerable children (Abraham & Fadimu, 2020).

The purpose of this study is to critically evaluate the welfare department’s effectiveness in dealing with cases of child abuse, thereby contributing to the broader discourse on child protection in Nigeria.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Despite the introduction of many frameworks and rules to safeguard children in Nigeria, the prevalence of child abuse continues to climb. The welfare department, which is responsible for protecting children’s rights, faces significant problems in properly responding to allegations of abuse.

Inadequate resources, a lack of worker training, and insufficient public awareness impede the welfare department’s capacity to respond effectively to these essential cases.

The purpose of this study is to analyse the welfare department’s effectiveness in dealing with child abuse cases in Nigeria, with an emphasis on identifying barriers to successful intervention and suggesting concrete remedies.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The primary goal of this study is to examine the welfare department’s effectiveness in dealing with incidents of child abuse in Nigeria. Specific aims include:

i. Determine the effect of training programs on the welfare department’s response to child abuse cases.

ii. Determine the level of public awareness about child rights and abuse reporting systems.

iii. Determine the challenges that welfare department professionals experience in effectively responding to child abuse.

1.4 Research Questions.

i. What is the influence of training programs on the welfare department’s response to child abuse cases?

ii. What is the level of public awareness on child rights and abuse reporting mechanisms?

iii. How does the welfare department address the barriers faced in effectively handling child abuse cases?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

Hypothesis I

H0: Training programs have no substantial impact on how the welfare department responds to child abuse situations.

H1: Training programs have a substantial impact on how the welfare department responds to child abuse cases.

Hypothesis II

H0: There is no considerable amount of public awareness regarding child rights and abuse reporting systems.

H2: There is widespread public awareness of child rights and abuse reporting systems.

Hypothesis III.

H0: Welfare department officials have no significant barriers to efficiently dealing with child abuse cases.

H3: Welfare department officials confront major barriers to efficiently treating child abuse situations.

1.6 Significance of the Study

This study is essential because it aims to shed light on the welfare department’s efficiency in combating child abuse in Nigeria. By recognising the strengths and flaws of present procedures, the findings can help to build more effective policies and actions to safeguard vulnerable children.

The study also intends to educate stakeholders, such as government agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and the general public, on the necessity of coordinated efforts in eliminating child abuse.

1.7 Scope of Study

This study examines the functioning of Nigeria’s welfare department, with a focus on its effectiveness in dealing with child abuse situations. The study will focus on urban and semi-urban areas where welfare agencies operate, taking into account the unique issues these environments present.

The study will also look at how welfare department employees and the broader public perceive child abuse and the welfare department’s role in dealing with it.

1.8 Limitations of the Study

The study may have various drawbacks, including potential biases in replies from welfare department employees and the general public. Furthermore, access to specific places and populations may be restricted, reducing the sample size and diversity of opinions.

Financial restrictions may also limit the scope of the investigation, as full data collecting may necessitate more resources than available. Nonetheless, the study will aim to address these constraints through rigorous design and data collection procedures.

1.9 Definition of Terms.

kid Abuse: Any act or omission to act by a parent or carer that causes harm, potential harm, or threatens harm to a kid.

The Welfare Department is a government agency in charge of children’s protection and welfare, which includes investigating child abuse cases and providing support services.

Training programs are structured educational initiatives that aim to provide welfare department staff with the skills and knowledge they need to respond to child abuse cases effectively.

Public awareness: The general public’s knowledge and understanding of child rights, abuse reporting methods, and the function of the welfare department.

Barriers to Effectiveness: Difficulties or hurdles that impede the welfare department’s ability to effectively address and manage incidents of child abuse.