By Praise Chinecherem
A non governmental organization, NGO, Onúrúbé, with presence in Southeast states has called for strengthened collaboration between relevant stakeholders to prevent gender-based violence.
The call was in reaction to alleged abuse of a 2-year-old pupil by her 19-year-old teacher, which was reported to the NGO by Sisters With A Goal (SWAG) on Friday, November 22, 2024.
In a statement issued on behalf of ONÚRÚBÉ Coalition Against Gender-Based Violence, Marjorie N. Ezihe restated the importance of aligning with statutory frameworks in ensuring justice and protecting children’s rights.
The group however commend the police for being professional in handling the matter, especially by referring the victim to FUTHO for ‘transparent accountability’, adding that the medical report from the institution cleared the school and the accused teacher of any wrong doing.
The NGO further advised that the victims in the case can approach the court for justice.
It was gathered that after investigative protocols were ignored and single-sided narrative sent to the public, ONÚRÚBÉ initiated a fact-finding mission on Monday, 25th November 2024 to address these gaps, ensure justice and align with statutory provisions for gender-based violence and child protection.
In the instant case of child sexual abuse, the NGO made the following key findings:
- Compromised Investigation and Reporting: Chidiebube Okeoma, a journalist, prematurely uploaded unverified details, including Xena’s identity, to social media. This act breached investigative and ethical journalism standards, violating Section 24 of the VAPP Act, which prohibits secondary victimization of survivors.
- Unjust Detention: Miss Uba’s extended detention violated the principle of proportionality under the Child Rights act, Section 16, which calls for evidence-based processes when dealing with minors’ cases.
- Procedural Delays at FUTHO: Bureaucratic inefficiencies at the hospital caused significant delays in releasing the medical report, hindering timely investigation. The Child Rights Act, Section 14, emphasizes prompt and efficient mechanisms in cases involving children’s welfare.
- Family’s Non-Cooperation: The family failed to act on the proforma medical directive, limiting the investigation’s scope and contributing to the sensationalism that derailed procedural integrity.
- Violation of Xena’s Rights: Publicizing graphic allegations and the child’s identity violated her dignity and privacy under Section 11 of the Child Rights Act.
It therefore made following recommendations:
- Strengthening Gender-Based Violence Protections: Authorities must ensure adherence to Sections 24 and 25 of the VAPP Act to prevent secondary victimization and malicious accusations.
Law enforcement should adopt trauma-informed approaches when handling allegations involving minors.
- Reinforcing Child Protection Mechanisms: Reporting protocols under Sections 13 and 14 of the Child Rights Act should be strictly followed to protect children from harm during investigations.
- Ethical Media Reporting: Journalists must comply with ethical standards, prioritizing child protection over sensationalism.
Relevant authorities should sanction those who breach media guidelines to deter similar occurrences.
- Reforming Bureaucratic Processes: Hospitals must streamline medical reporting processes in sensitive cases to avoid unnecessary delays.
The victim’s mother, Victoria Ndukwe, had claimed that while bathing her daughter the evening the incident reportedly happened, she alleged that her teacher inserted scissors into her private parts, reason she, Victoria, confronted the school the following day after observations made.
It was equally gathered that despite efforts by the school Proprietress and Headmistress to engage the victim’s family, the Ndukwe family remained uncooperative.
Sources disclosed that the school Proprietress was later arrested on 20th November and released on bail to facilitate police investigation.
Continuing, the source said that on the same day, the police issued a ‘proforma’ invoice requesting further medical examination of the victim at the Federal University Teaching Hospital, Owerri (FUTHO), but the victim’s mother, Victoria, bypassed this step, opting instead to take the matter to social media on Friday, 22nd November.
