CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND ITS CONSEQUENCIES ON EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN SOME SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOL: A CASE STUDY OF EGOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, EDO STATE

The problem of child sexual abuse has become a pressing social and educational issue with increasing reports of students being victims of various forms of abuse including molestation, harassment and exploitation by teachers, peers and community members. The study investigated child sexual abuse and the consequences on the educational development of students in selected secondary schools in Egor Local Government Area, Edo State. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The target population comprised secondary school students and teachers in Egor Local Government Area. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from respondents selected through a stratified random sampling technique. The data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages, and mean scores. The findings revealed that child sexual abuse negatively affects students’ educational development. Victims of sexual abuse were found to experience low self-esteem, poor concentration in class, frequent absenteeism, declining academic performance, and in some cases, withdrawal from school. The study also found that inadequate parental supervision, poor guidance and counseling services, and lack of awareness about children’s rights contributed to the persistence of the problem. It was concluded that child sexual abuse has devastating effects on the emotional stability and academic growth of secondary school students. The study recommended that schools should intensify child protection awareness programs, strengthen counseling units, and collaborate with parents, social workers, and law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of students. Furthermore, stiffer penalties should be imposed on perpetrators to serve as a deterrent and safeguard the educational future of young learners