The Raissa Child Protection Initiative over the weekend held a community durbar at Agbeve, Sowutuom, in Accra to educate residents on child sexual abuse prevention and the need to protect children from all forms of sexual exploitation.
The programme forms part of efforts by the non-governmental organisation (NGO) to raise awareness of child protection, educate parents and caregivers on their responsibilities, and encourage community members to report suspected cases of abuse to the appropriate authorities.
Founder of the NGO, Ms Raissa Sambou, said protecting children from sexual abuse required the collective responsibility of parents, caregivers, traditional authorities and other members of society.
She said children needed safe environments where they could speak about uncomfortable experiences without fear of blame or punishment.
Madam Sambou stressed that children who experienced sexual abuse were never responsible for what happened to them and urged adults to listen to them, take their concerns seriously and seek appropriate assistance when necessary.
She noted that both boys and girls could be victims of sexual abuse and called for equal protection and support for all children, regardless of their sex.
She also urged parents and caregivers to educate children on body boundaries, inappropriate touching and how to seek help from trusted adults.
Ms Sambou cautioned that perpetrators could be people known to or trusted by children, adding that parents needed to remain vigilant and establish safeguards to protect their children.
She further called on community members not to conceal abuse to protect family relationships or reputations, stressing that the safety and welfare of children must take priority.
A legal practitioner and member of the Raissa Child Protection Initiative project team, Alhaji Yussif Baba Suleman, said the 1992 Constitution of Ghana contained provisions to safeguard children’s rights, making it important for people to understand those rights and ensure they were respected.
He urged the public not to shield perpetrators of sexual abuse because they were relatives, friends or people close to their families.
Alhaji Suleman said offenders must face the full rigours of the law to ensure justice for victims and deter others from committing similar offences
He also called on residents to report suspected cases to the appropriate authorities rather than resort to secrecy or informal settlements.
The durbar highlighted the importance of community participation in preventing child sexual abuse and ensuring that affected children received the necessary protection and support.
Beneficiaries of the forum thanked the organising team for the valuable information shared and hoped such programmes would be held frequently in communities across the country.