Don’t Succumb To Sexual Abuse, Molestation, Others, Group Tells Students

L-R: (3rd on middle row: In Top blue polo shirt and Jean), Chairperson, Lighted Women Foundation, Effurun , Mrs.  Ejiroghene  Akporehe  John (Esq.), her team members, some staff members of Alegbo Secondary School, Effurun and some students during the sexual abuse sensitization campaign at the school on Friday.

By Samuel Ogude

A Non-Governmental Organization known as Lighted Women Foundation, Effurun, Delta State has charged pupils/ students not to succumb to sexual abuse or any form of molestation from anybody in the society in order to have their dreams fulfilled in life. The group made this known on Friday when they visited Alegbo Secondary School, Effurun, Delta State on sensitization campaign against child’s molestation and abuse.

Speaking on behalf of the body, the Chairperson, Mrs.  Ejiroghene  Akporehe  John  (Esq.) said, on daily basis, the organization receives calls of sexual abuse and harassment of children in the society, the act, according to her, is detrimental to the wellbeing of the children (victims) involved.

According to her, such sexual abuse on children has led to damaging consequences such as unwanted pregnancy, contracting of deadly disease such as HIV AID, STD, and in extreme cases, death. Her words:” We have discovered recently that, the abuse of children is on the rise or increase. Every day, we receive calls on sexual abuse on children. We felt the need to come to tell the children on how to navigate or curb sexual abuses.” She said, irrespective of person: (might be) father, mother, sister, brother or even friends, the students (children) should not allow themselves to be victims of sexual abuse as it would not only truncate their academic careers but ruin their lives.

Students of Alegbo Secondary School, Effurun listening to Mrs.  Ejiroghene  Akporehe  John  (Esq.) and other speakers with rapt attention during the programme on Friday

Mrs. John (Esq.) charged the students to always report the case of children’s abuses and molestation especially that of sexual abuse in order to have a bright future. Her words:” In case any of you are going through any case of sexual abuse, you should not keep silent but speak out – report to us, and we will treat the matter with utmost confidence. If you keep silent in the face of abuse, you are encouraging that act and if that perpetrator is not dealt with, you are encouraging that person to do same for another victims.” 

According to her, this sexual is not restricted to girls only, even boys are also victims. Mrs. John   also used the medium call on parents to monitor their children as regards the kind of friends they keep both at home and school in order not to be lured into sexual abuse and harassment.

In her response, the Principal of the school, Chief (Mrs.) Egukawhore E. Rachel expressed gratitude for Lighted Women Foundation is an organization which is Chaired by Mrs  Ejiroghene Akporehe John (Esq.)  for the sensitization programme  on sexual abuse saying, such campaign would really have positive  effects  on the lives of the students. Her words: “l am very pleased with the programme. The children have been enlightened that they should be on the alert over sexual abuse”. 

Students of Alegbo Secondary School, Effurun listening to Mrs.  Ejiroghene  Akporehe  John  (Esq.) and other speakers with rapt attention during the programme on Friday

“They have been told to say something if they see something. They have been told not to allow themselves to be abused by anybody: brother, uncle or sister”. The Principal therefore encouraged the organization to continue with this sensitization programme as it is of immense benefits not only to the children, the parents of the children but the state and the country at large. Chief (Mrs.) Rachel charged the children to take the message of the day and do as instructed to have their life dreams fulfilled.

The students expressed joy for the programme saying, they have learnt a lot  just as  they have  promised  not  only be mindful of the association they mingle with but speak out whenever such occasions  arise.