SOCIO-RELIGIOUS EFFECT OF CHILD ABUSE ON GIRL CHILD IN IKONO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA

ABSTRACTS The menace of child abuse has eaten deep into the fabrics of our society with sad consequences. This necessitated the researcher to go into this study to investigate the socio-religious effects of child abuse on the Girl Child in Ikono Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. To achieve the aim of this study, three specific objectives were formulated to guide the research. Qualitative research method was used in the study. Data were obtained from primary sources such as and the interviews with stakeholders, secondary sources which included textbooks, internet materials, newspapers and magazine. Based on the findings of the study, it was discovered that Child abuse in its varied forms is rampant in Ikono Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. Also, poverty, broken homes, unrestrained anger were among the causes of child abuse cases. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that parents and caregivers should be well educated on what constitute child abuses and why they should refrain from abusing the child. More so, the government should as a matter of urgency address the problem of poverty to as assist parents not to engage children in child’s labour like street hawking and other forms.