Knowledge and attitude of public primary school teachers towards child abuse reporting practices in Nigeria (original) (raw)

I. INTRODUCTION ENERALLY, the definition of child abuse refers specifically to parents (biological or foster) and other caregivers (such as teachers, nannies, etc.). A "child" who is under the age of 18 or who is not an emancipated minor fall under this definition (kotha, kumar, Pratibha, & Ankitha, 2017). An emancipated minor refers to any person below the age of 18 who a court order, has granted the status of adulthood, has lived independently of parental guidance for one year, is married, is living in the street, or is the head of the family. A recipient of child abuse is referred to as an "abused" while a person committing child abuse is called an "offender". Child abuse can also be referred to as child maltreatment. In Nigeria, earlier than now, child abuse in the constitution was given little or no attention. Today, with an increase in this menace, child abuse or maltreatment is a less serious offense punishable by law. This is because recently, in the country, there are cases of male and female children tied-and locked up by their stepmothers (or father's wives) without food and water for several days, weeks, or months, fallen prey to predators for rape; constantly beaten, humiliated and labelled witches by their parents or caregivers among others. In most cases, in the face of these ugly situations, the offenders are seen walking freely and living their normal lives instead of being prosecuted by the law. A recipient, if not rehabilitated, is essentially the "sufferer" of child abuse as s/he may be traumatised emotionally. Psychologically, sometimes, such persons may become violent and unforgivable as they wish to transfer aggression to persons they meet. Forms or different practices of child abuse that can subject an offender to arrest and prosecution include neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and emotional abuse (or emotional neglect). Child neglect as a form of child maltreatment is a deficit in meeting a child's basic needs, including the failure to provide adequate health care, supervision, clothing, nutrition, and housing, as well as their physical, emotional, social, educational, and safety needs. Causes of neglect may result from several parenting problems, including mental disorders, substance abuse (for example, using drugs and alcohol), delayed brain development, taking risks (like running away from home), breaking the law, getting into dangerous relationships, difficulty with relationships later in life (including with their children) lower educational attainment, domestic violence, unemployment or limited employment opportunities, unplanned pregnancy, poverty among other social and emotional challenges (Collin-Vézina et al., 2013). Physical abuse is a form of child abuse that causes harm or inflicts injuries to a child (Finkelhor & Korbin, 1988). It refers to injuries and adult behaviours that are not sexual. This type of child abuse is mainly