The Women’s Aid Collective (WACOL) has called for urgent intervention to protect a young girl allegedly sexually abused by her father and subsequently banished from her community in Nenwe, Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State, after becoming pregnant.
In a press statement signed by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, SAN, OON, the organisation condemned the alleged sexual abuse and banishment, describing the situation as a serious violation of the girl’s rights and dignity.
WACOL maintained that the child should be treated as a survivor of abuse rather than blamed or punished for a pregnancy allegedly resulting from the incident. It described her banishment as double victimisation, warning that such treatment could expose her to further danger and exploitation.
“This child is a survivor, not a perpetrator,” the organisation declared, stressing that children who experience sexual abuse deserve protection, care and justice rather than rejection by their families or communities.
The organisation also emphasised that cultural traditions must never be used to justify violence, discrimination or the dehumanisation of women and girls. It insisted that cultural practices must respect fundamental human rights and remain consistent with the law.
Citing relevant child protection and criminal laws, including the Child Rights Act, the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act and applicable criminal legislation, WACOL stated that the allegations require urgent investigation and appropriate legal action.
The organisation called on the Enugu State Commissioner of Police, the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and relevant child protection agencies to immediately intervene, establish the girl’s whereabouts and ensure her safety.
It warned that the girl’s displacement and banishment could leave her vulnerable to further abuse, particularly if she were forced to depend on the alleged perpetrator or other unsafe individuals for survival.
WACOL further demanded that the alleged perpetrator and anyone found to have participated in the unlawful banishment be investigated and held accountable in accordance with the law. It stressed that no cultural or traditional justification should shield anyone found responsible for a criminal offence.
Beyond accountability, the organisation called for comprehensive support for the survivor, including medical care, psychosocial assistance, legal services and safe accommodation. It said these interventions were necessary to protect her immediate welfare and support her recovery.
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WACOL added that its Tamar Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) and legal team stood ready to support the survivor in accessing the necessary services and pursuing justice.
The organisation also appealed to members of the public with credible information about the girl’s whereabouts and safety to contact WACOL or the nearest law enforcement agency, while urging the public to prioritise her privacy and protection.
WACOL reiterated that every child has an inalienable right to dignity, bodily autonomy and protection from violence, calling on authorities to ensure these rights are upheld in practice.
The allegations outlined in the statement have not been independently verified in the information available, and the responses of the relevant authorities were not included in the statement.
