PROTECTION OF CHILD ABUSE VICTIMS UNDER NIGERIAN LAW: CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

Abstract

Child abuse is a serious global problem with significant negative influence on children’s physical, emotional, and mental health. Both international and national laws provide children with the rights to grow up in enjoyable, safe, healthy, productive, and supportive environments, yet the opposite is becoming the reality as child abuse happens in settings where children should feel safe, like homes, families, schools, and communities. This has an impact on children’s safety, development, and general well-being and raises significant concerns. This study uses a doctrinal approach; it examines the laws that protect children from abuse and investigates the social dynamics and underlying risk factors that prevent the protection provided in the laws. The study discovers that Nigeria has a robust legal framework, but it is ineffective due to several systemic problems, such as poor enforcement, poverty, negative cultural norms, social standards, an inadequate child protection system, and a lack of knowledge. The paper recommends a coordinated restorative approach from early detection to quick investigation, protection, improve prosecution of offenders, and restoration of victims.