Eveshobase Deborah DANIEL

This study examined the role of social workers in the prevention of child abuse and neglect in Egor Local Government Area of Edo State. The research aimed to assess the extent of social workers’ involvement in child protection, evaluate the adequacy of interventions provided to abused and neglected children, explore preventive strategies adopted, and identify challenges hindering effective service delivery. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design and utilized structured questionnaires administered to 100 respondents, including social workers, caregivers, parents, and children. Data were analyzed using simple percentages and frequency distributions. Findings revealed that social workers play critical roles in identifying, rescuing, counseling, and advocating for the rights of abused and neglected children. They also engage in preventive efforts through community sensitization, parental education, and collaboration with schools, NGOs, and law enforcement agencies. However, the study found that long-term rehabilitation and reintegration programs are often inadequate due to insufficient funding, shortage of trained personnel, cultural resistance, and weak institutional support. The study concludes that while social workers contribute significantly to child protection in Egor LGA, their effectiveness is constrained by systemic and cultural challenges. It recommends increased government funding, professional training, inter-agency collaboration, and community-based awareness campaigns to strengthen child welfare systems and enhance the preventive capacity of social workers.