By Chioma Umeha
In line with its aim and vision to effectively
tackle the menace of child sexual abuse, the Cece Yara foundation, Nigeria’s
flagship advocacy organisation is set to formally launch its ultra-modern
relief and support centre in Lagos
Child sexual abuse in the country is on the rise
with statistics showing that one in four girls and one in ten boys experienced
sexual violence before 18. As a response to these alarming figures, the establishment
of the Cece Yara foundation has been a major breakthrough in the fight against
child exploitation and sexual abuse. The Cece Yara foundation believes that
childhood should be a phase of purity and complete innocence, a period when the
character of an individual is formed. The phrase ‘’Cece Yara’’ means ‘’Save the
child’’ in Hausa language.
The founder, Mrs. Bola Tinubu a lawyer and a
staunch advocate for children believes that the future of every child,
regardless of gender, race or social background, should be preserved. She is
undauntedly ready to take on the fight against sexual abuse amongst children
thus her drive and motivation for establishing and running the NGO.
The Cece Yara Child Advocacy Centre provides a
warm, safe and friendly shelter where survivors will be comfortable enough to
rise above whatever experience they have been through. Having taken into
cognizance the major problems which could arise from child sexual abuse, the
centre is equipped with state of the art facilities tailored to assist the
psychological and physical healing process of the survivor with a fully
operational 24 hour hotline ready to cater to those in distress.
The foundation strives to put in place programs
and campaigns aimed at preventing child sexual abuse, raising awareness on the
issue and also giving the children a voice and a support system. The activities
and successes of this organization are laudable and truly encouraging.
One of the foundation’s recent accomplishments was
getting justice for a six-year-old girl who was sexually violated by an adult
male.
The accused was detained and charged to court in
October 2016.
On February 16, 2017, the Cece Yara foundation
claimed justice for the victim and the accused was sentenced to seven years
imprisonment without the option of fine.
The Cece Yara foundation played a pivotal role in
bringing the sex offender to book, while providing legal support and
psychological healing to the ‘survivor’ and her parents, through its Victim
Advocacy Programme.
The victory serves as a deterrent to perpetuators
of child sexual abuse in the country and a source of succour to survivors and
their families
The centre will be opened officially to the public
on the March 19, 2017.
The statement quoting Mrs. Tinubu said: “Our
vision is to create a safe and happy childhood for every Nigerian child – free
from sexual abuse and with easy access to care, information, protection and
emergency intervention”
