Plateau Child Abuse Crisis: CPN Records 36 Cases in One Quarter
The Child Protection Network (CPN), Plateau State, has raised the alarm over what it described as a growing child protection crisis across the state, revealing that it handled 36 cases of child abuse in a single quarter.
State Coordinator of the network, Sandra Chikan, described the situation as critical, rating the level of child abuse in Plateau State at 9 out of 10 and warning that the cases reported to the network represent only a fraction of the actual problem.
Chikan disclosed this during an interview, saying the network receives an average of at least three child protection cases every week through its helplines.
According to her, child abuse is not restricted to communities affected by conflict and displacement, as children in ordinary homes and communities are also exposed to violence, neglect, exploitation, substance abuse, child labour and sexual abuse.
She expressed particular concern over the exposure of children to dangerous environments, including artisanal mining activities.
Chikan said there had been reports of children as young as three and four years old visiting mining sites, raising concerns about their safety and exposure to hazardous conditions.
She also raised concerns over children becoming involved in drug-related activities and spending late hours on the streets, with some reportedly found outside their homes as late as 1 a.m. or 3 a.m.
Domestic violence, neglect
The CPN coordinator identified domestic violence and parental or guardian neglect as major threats to children in the state.
She cited cases involving children allegedly beaten by guardians, denied food and forced to live in unsafe conditions.
Some children working as domestic helps or in restaurants have also reportedly been subjected to exploitation, inadequate care and excessively long working
