By Jane Beatrice Obila
As reported in the media, there are numerous cases of child defilement in the country, and action
must be taken against those who commit such heinous acts to combat this menace.
To begin with, the Oxford Dictionary defines child defilement as the crime of harming a child in
a sexual way, which frequently involves the use of coercion, manipulation, or force.
It is sad that people abusing children in this way are those whom they respect and trust to protect
them from any danger, as such offences are sometimes committed by parents, relatives, and
those close to the victims of defilement.
Even though the Sexual Offences Act prohibits this crime and specifies the punishments for the
offender, some of them get away with it, and the victim is denied justice due to a lack of
understanding of sexual dynamics.
It is also unfortunate that some parents conceal the identities of the perpetrators despite the grave
consequences for their children, preventing them from receiving justice. This frequently puts
pressure on the victim and other family members to remain silent about the abuse, which is
immoral because it perpetuates a culture of silence and impunity, allowing perpetrators to
continue harming children.
Such parents can do so because the perpetrator is a family member, and the family may prioritize
maintaining family unity and avoiding discord over protecting the victim, which is utterly
inappropriate.
As stated in the Sexual Offence Act, a person who commits an offence of defilement with a child
shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to life imprisonment because it not only violates the victims'
physical and emotional well-being but also leaves long-term psychological scars.
Those who conceal such offences should also face legal consequences for the victim to receive
justice and to reduce the growing number of cases.
We should take a multifaceted approach that includes education, legal action, community
involvement, and victim support so that societies can work to create safer environments in which
children can grow and thrive without fear.
