The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja branch, has sensitised students of Ikeja Junior and Senior High School on their rights and protection from physical, emotional and sexual abuses.
Lawyers from the Human Rights Committee of the branch did this during a sensitisation on children’s rights as part of a two-day school outreach, themed ‘Zero Tolerance for Child Abuse: Speak Out’.
Chairman of the committee, Mrs Tracy Amadigwe-Dike, educated the students on their importance to society. She said their rights, as contained in the Child Rights Laws of Lagos State, are meant to protect them from physical, emotional and sexual abuses.
She said: “Harsh words touch children’s reasoning and mindset. Some parents even speak harshly to their children, but nobody is meant to breach these rights.”
Amadigwe-Dike, who is also the vice chair of the branch, told the students they should not be afraid to report sexual abuse.
She said: “Even if it is your parents that abuse you, it is wrong. The law does not allow for it. As a student, if a teacher touches you or makes unwanted advances, you have to report it to us at the legal clinic, held every Thursday morning, and we promise to help you get represented in court.”
