CHILD (PAEDIATRIC) RAPE - A GROWING CONCERN IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES.

A serious problem that impacts children all over the world, child or paediatric rape is especially concerning in developing nations. In addition to violating children's rights, this horrible crime has long-lasting effects on victims, families, and communities in terms of psychology, society, and the economy.  Raising awareness and promoting successful preventive and intervention techniques require an understanding of the difficulties underlying paediatric rape in developing nations. 

Paediatric rape is a form of child sexual abuse in which there is unlawful sexual penetration of a person below 18 years of age. According to a UNICEF report in 2024, over 79 million girls and women were subjected to rape as children. Worldwide, it is estimated to be up to 370 million victims with the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America. 

Due to social stigma, cultural taboos, and insufficient legal frameworks, statistics on paediatric rape are frequently underreported in many developing nations. A disproportionate number of children, particularly girls, are impacted, and many cases go unreported or untreated. Children's susceptibility to sexual violence is increased by elements including poverty, illiteracy, and restricted access to medical treatment. The occurrence of rape among children is also significantly influenced by cultural norms and societal attitudes towards gender. The assumption that men have a right to sex may be upheld by traditional beliefs in some communities, which can result in a culture of complicity and silence regarding sexual abuse against children.

The contributing factors to paediatric rape include weak legal frameworks, lack of education, poverty and economic disparities, corruption, permissive cultural norms and practices, permissive religious practices, and moral decadence. 

It is an unassailable fact that paediatric rape has far-reaching and devastating consequences that have medical/sexual health, psychological and social components that scar its victims for life. These effects not only affect the individual but also affect family, society, nation, region and the world. 

The medical and sexual health consequences include bleeding from genital lacerations and tears, sexually transmitted infections, unwanted pregnancy, miscarriage, unsafe abortion, painful intercourse, chronic pelvic pain, urinary tract infections, reduced interest in sex or aversion to sex, and declining sexual satisfaction. 

The psychological effects include depression, anxiety disorders, guilt, hypervigilance, disturbed sleep patterns, suicidal ideation or suicide, psychosis, substance abuse, posttraumatic stress disorder, conduct disorders, distrust for authority, and low self-esteem. 

The social consequences include shame, stigmatisation, social withdrawal, school absenteeism, school dropout, truancy, difficulty forming intimacy, promiscuity, multiple sexual partners, prostitution, robbery, cybercrime, and cultism.

Due to the broad spectrum of effects mentioned previously, it stands to reason that the preventive strategies against paediatric rape should adopt a multidisciplinary approach, which includes strengthening legal frameworks and strict implementation of laws that protect children's rights, strict punishment for offenders, policies aimed to promote economic growth, improve economic viability and alleviate poverty, active community engagement, education and mass awareness campaigns, and support services for victims.

In conclusion, paediatric rape is a serious problem that requires immediate attention and action. Society can endeavour to create a safer atmosphere for children by comprehending the contributing reasons and effects of this crime. A better future where children are empowered and protected can be achieved via education, community engagement, law reform, and support services. Ensuring that every child can grow up without fear or violence is our shared responsibility.

Dr. Yeibake W. Silver

[MWACP]

05/08/2025