With the world becoming increasingly digital, crime appears to follow suit at an even faster rate. According to a report by the New York Times, in 2018, major tech companies such as Google and Facebook (Meta), reported over 45 million photos and videos of children being sexually abused on their platforms.
Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command defines child sexual abuse as forcing or enticing a child to partake in sexual activity, whether or not the child is aware of what is happening. It covers acts such as engaging a child in penetrative sex, touching their genitals or compelling them to touch another person’s genitals, and non-touching activities such as photographing a child in sexual postures and exposing them to pornographic materials.
Online child sexual abuse involves the use of technology or the internet to facilitate the sexual abuse of a child.
It includes:
Are there any laws in Nigeria to protect against online child sexual abuse?
Section 14 of the Cybercrime Act criminalizes child pornography and other related offences. Its provisions are robust and prohibit a person from:
Punishment ranges from 5-20 years imprisonment and fines as high as 20 million naira.
Section 42(e) of the Cybercrime Act goes on to define sexually explicit conduct in relation to online child sexual abuse: “lascivious exhibition of the genitals or the public area of the child. It is not relevant whether the conduct depicted is real or simulated.” This invariably protects against CGI, cartoons and the likes portraying a child in sexual acts.
The Childs Rights Act also contains relevant provisions. Sections 35-37 of the Act prohibits a person from importing, printing, publishing, hiring or selling harmful publication. Harmful publication is defined as any book, film, video or audio tape or any other medium targeted or likely to fall in the hands of children which contains stories with
An adult guilty of such acts faces 5 years imprisonment and/or a fine of fifty thousand naira.
Outlined below are some signs parents and guardians can look out for:
It is important as parents to note that it is not the fault of your child. It is necessary to cut off all means of communication between the perpetrator and your child, educate your child on sexual boundaries and protection.
For support or resources you can contact Cece Yara Or to help report a case of online sexual abuse contact us with our helpline- 0800- 800-8001.
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