The Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association has called for the eradication of sexual abuse in barrack communities and the nation at large.
This is as the association lamented that sexual abuse and exploitation had become prevalent in society, adding that many of the cases are unreported.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund, six out of every 10 children experience some form of violence, and one in four girls and 10 per cent of boys have been sexually abused.
Speaking on Saturday during a seminar for barracks youths in Abuja to mark her one year in office, the DEPOWA President, Oghogho Musa expressed her organisation’s desire to reduce the menace within the barrack communities.
She said, “The menace of sexual exploitation and abuse is prevalent in our society, many occurrences go unreported and the barracks community and its environs are not exempted.
“Today we have an opportunity to discuss this and we echo the voice of Antonio Guterres, the United Nations Secretary-General in stating that, ‘Sexual Exploitation and Abuse have no place in our society’.
“We recognize the severity of the consequences and we aim to work towards reducing its prevalence within our communities and immediate environs. ”
Musa promised to provide the needed support for victims of sexual exploitation who speak up.
She said, “I pledge to support any victim who reports any form of sexual exploitation, or any attempt to be initiated into the use of illicit substances within our domain.
“We call upon the appropriate authorities to investigate and address same when any of these menaces is reported. Indeed, perpetrators ought to be held accountable”.
Earlier, the Chairman planning committee Mrs Isabella Okosun said the prevalence of sexual abuse necessitated the need for sensitisation.
She said the Youths were more vulnerable to sexual and drug abuse hence, the need to equip them with the necessary knowledge.