Sodiq Ojuroungbe As child abuse continues to raise concerns among experts globally, the Programme Director of Action Against Child Sexual Abuse Initiative, Juliet Obiora, says it has now become an emerging public health crisis that requires immediate legislative reform. She highlighted the importance of public education to address associated threats such as live streaming, AI-facilitated gender-based violence, and deep fakes. The child advocate warned that the issue is not only a concern for child welfare but also a public health problem with far-reaching consequences.
Speaking exclusively with PUNCH Healthwise, Obiora noted that the impact of abuse on children’s mental health cannot be overstated, stressing that it is crucial to take action to prevent long-term damage. She maintained that there is a need for a united effort to safeguard children from sexual abuse both online and physical. While lamenting that online sexual abuse of children is becoming a growing problem, she noted that the rise of technology poses additional challenges for them.
Quoting UNICEF data, which states that one in three children globally have access to the internet or digital devices, the child advocate said this has increased their vulnerability to online exploitation. She, however, called for a collaborative effort from the government, tech companies, civil society organisations, and internet service providers to prioritise child safety online. Obiora expressed concern that many platforms were .
