CONCLUSION
In the first chapter of this research, I introduced the research issue and defined some primary terms peculiar to the issue. In chapter two, I gave a detailed analysis of the stance of the Nigerian legal framework in place to tackle the issue of child sexual abuse. I found that there are indeed certain laws in place to tackle child sexual abuse. I found that these laws were inadequate and where adequate, were not being implemented. In the third chapter, factors that contributes to the inefficiency of these Nigerian laws were considered. I then proceeded to give a detailed analysis of the legal framework and machinery in place to tackle the issue of child sexual abuse in other developed counties( United Kingdom, United States of America, and India). I found that these countries unlike Nigeria have a fairly sound system in place to tackle child sexual abuse and that Nigeria can actually learn a lot from them in all humility. To place emphasis on issues without an attempt to proffer possible solutions to tackle an identified problem is baseless. Therefore, in the fourth and final chapter of this research, I recommended possible solutions that can improve the status quo of Nigeria’s legal inefficacy as regards child sexual abuse for the better.
Children are the future generation and leaders of tomorrow. The way they are treated reflects the level of development of a particular country. It goes to show that indeed, such a country care about their future. Child sexual abuse has to be tackled before its consequences become too much to handle. Although much has been done over the years, more is yet to be done still. More effort needs to be made to protect children from early marriages, all forms of sexual exploitation such as child pornography and child prostitution, sexual harassment and assault such as rape, and all other forms of abuse.
Laws put in place to protect children in Nigeria are not effective because so many other factors hinder their effective implementation. To ensure effectiveness of these laws and to decrease the prevalence of child sexual abuse, issues such as poverty, corruption, cultural and societal attitudes, and neglect of parents need to be addressed. Sadly, laws and policies despite their importance cannot alleviate and eliminate child sexual abuse on its own. Public awareness is very important.
People need to be aware of available laws, their consequences and requirements of compliance. Laws encouraging child sexual abuse in any way should be amended and available laws that are inadequate should be amended and solidified to set strong foundations for the fight against child sexual abuse in Nigeria. Parent, schools, government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have to work together so that the menace of child sexual abuse can be alleviated.
