CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT IN NIGERIA -- SOCIO-LEGAL ASPECTS.

Child abuse as a social problem has only very recently gained the recognition and attention of the Nigerian public. This was as a result of an organization known as the African Network for the Prevention and Protection Against Child Abuse and Neglect (ANPPCAN) which was set up in 1984 by some African countries including Nigeria. Their aim was to look into the area of child abuse and neglect as it pertains to Africa. Since then, Nigeria has formed its own chapter of the network (inaugurated in 1986) and this body has held a couple of conferences in an effort to define and identify aspects of child abuse within the society. Against this background, this paper examines the nature, causes and aspects of child abuse and neglect in Nigeria, the existing legislation which is supposed to prevent and control them and the social and other obstacles to effective implementation of these laws. The paper is concluded with some suggestions which, if implemented, the author believes will at least help to control the problem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]