Protect children from sexual abuse, Raissa Child Protection Initiative urges

The Raissa Child Protection Initiative recently conducted a community durbar in Accra to raise awareness about child sexual abuse prevention. The event aimed to educate residents on the importance of protecting children from all forms of sexual exploitation and to encourage reporting of suspected abuse cases to authorities. Founder Raissa Sambou emphasized that child protection requires a collective effort from parents, caregivers, traditional authorities and the broader community.

She stressed the need for safe spaces for children to speak about uncomfortable experiences without fear of blame or punishment. Sambou clarified that boys and girls are equally vulnerable to sexual abuse and called for equal protection and support. She urged parents to teach children about body boundaries and how to seek help from trusted adults.

Alhaji Yussif Baba Suleman, a legal practitioner and team member, highlighted the constitutional provisions in Ghana's 1992 Constitution for safeguarding children's rights and urged the public not to protect perpetrators. He stressed that offenders must face the full extent of the law. Suleman also called for community members to report suspected cases to authorities rather than remaining silent.

The durbar underscored the importance of community involvement in preventing child sexual abuse and ensuring affected children receive necessary protection and support. Attendees appreciated the valuable information shared and expressed hope for more frequent community programs across the country.