FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS IN OREDO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE

This study is on factors responsible for child abuse and neglect among secondary school students in Oredo Local Government Area of Edo state. The total population for the study is 200 students of Oredo local government of Edo state. The researcher used questionnaires as the instrument for the data collection. The data collected were presented in tables and analyzed using simple percentages and frequencies The major instrument used for this study was the questionnaire. The questionnaire was designed and validated by experts in the department of curriculum and instructional technology, faculty of education, university of Benin, Benin City, Edo state. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques such as tables, frequencies counts, and simple percentage. Findings of the study reveals that most children with single parent are vulnerable to sexual abuse, they are also likely to have issues with their relationship in future. It was also reveal that parent’s poor standard of living can cause harm to a child’s mental development. It was recommended that voluntary organization for the prevention and protection against child abuse should periodically organize in-house seminars, workshop and other educative programs in villages, quarters to enlighten parents and children on the dangers of child street hawking and other forms of child abuse.