IMPACT OF CHILD ABUSE ON THE UNDER AGE OF MAKURDI LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BENUE STATE

Abstract Child abuse as a phenomenon is as old as mankind. Over the years, every society has unceasingly been challenged by cases of child abuse. This study examined the impact of child abuse on the underage of Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. The study made use of primary and secondary sources of data. The primary source comprised oral interview with (30) respondents. Out of the (30) respondents, fifteen (15) comprises of adults and fifteen (15) children. The secondary source consists of books, journal, unpublished materials and internet sources. The data was analyzed using descriptive and content analysis. The results showed that, poverty is one of the major causes of child abuse. Physical abuse is seen as the most evident form of child abuse in Makurdi LGA, Benue State. The study revealed that, child abuse has devastating effects on under-age children in Makurdi LGA, Benue State ranging from physical, emotional, psychological, and social development. The study recommends that Government should provide more employment opportunities so that parents who abuse their children for economic reason would have reliable sources of income and that basic education should be truly made free in all Nigerian states particularly in Makurdi Local Government Area of Benue State. Findings from the study revealed that some parents who engage their children in day to day hawking, do so to enable them afford their school fees. Thus, Government and relevant authorities should take proactive steps toward achieving and/or realizing the aims of University Basic Education programmes for children in Nigeria and Benue state in particular.