Help to Stop Child Sexual Abuse in Nigeria

Cece Yara’s GlobalGiving Report Q2 for April-June 2025 – Amplifying the Voices of Children and Strengthening Partnerships to ensure Child Protection

Partnership with the Forensic Science and Expert Witnesses in Nigeria

Forensic science and expert witnesses play crucial roles in child protection by providing scientific evidence and specialized knowledge to aid investigations and legal proceedings related to child abuse and neglect. It was on this note that the Cece Yara Child Advocacy Centre increased its partnerships by collaborating with theAssociation of Forensic Science and Expert Witnesses in Nigeria. With this partnership the medical services and forensic interview process of the Centre will be strengthened to facilitate quicker and more effective investigation and prosecution of child sexual abuse cases. The Cece Yara team gleaned expert insights on child-sensitive techniques for evidence collection and analysis which are pivotal in securing justice for child abuse survivors. As we continue to champion innovative, science-driven approaches, we remain unwavering in our commitment to building a safer, more just Nigeria—one case, one child, and one piece of evidence at a time.

President of Association of Forensic science and expert witnesses in Nigeria visits Cece Yara Child Advocacy Center

Cece Yara Child Advocacy Center participated in the 11^th International Consultation of Child Helpline held in Zambia

In today’s digital world, children face increasing risks and harms onlinewith one in three internet users is under 18, yet online spaces expose them to threats such as cyberbullying, online child sexual exploitation and abuse (OCSEA), misinformation, and harmful content. This is often due to lack of awareness, fear, or stigma. It was on this note that the Cece Yara Child Advocacy Centre played a pivotal role at the 11th International Consultation of Child Helplines in Livingstone, Zambia, uniting with child protection leaders from over 50 nations under the theme, “Envisioning Child Helplines for 2030 and Beyond.” Our delegation showcased innovative approaches and insights from Nigeria, fostering global dialogue on enhancing child protection systems.

Our presence underscores Cece Yara’s strategic objective goal of amplifying children’s voices so that they will know where to get help alongside our unwavering dedication to empowering children worldwide, ensuring their voices are not just heard but acted upon.

Pics 2: CEO Cece Yara CHild Advocacy Center at the 11th International Consultaion of CHild Helpline held in Zambia

Partnership with OPAY Digital Services for Capacity Building of 15000 Vulnerable Children in Low Resource and Marginalised Communities

In fulfillment of its Mission of Preventing Child Sexual Abuse through Community empowerment and its Vision to create a safe and happy childhood for each Nigerian child free from sexual abuse with easy access to care, information, protection and emergency interventions, the Centre in partnership with OPAY Digital Services a finance company licensed by the Central Bank of Nigeria implemented awareness prevention training for school children in low resource and marginalised areas of the Ikorodu and Kosofe communities of Lagos state. Over 15000 children were empowered on body safety, case reporting, and emergency rescue and community resources available to respond to child sexual abusecollin Empowering Communities for child Protection. Child Protection is part of the Corporate Social Responsibility of the OPAY Services.

Women on Wheels (WOW) on Lagos Traffic Radio 96.1 spotlighted Cece Yara

In mid-July, Cece Yara’s mission to amplify the voices of children and champion women’s leadership took centre stage on Women on Wheels (WOW), aired on @lagostrafficradio 96.1FM. Our remarkable CEO, shared transformative insights on the theme “The Phenomenal Woman’’ wherein she spoke to the citizenry about the responsibilities of adults in protecting children including knowing the dynamics of child abuse, knowing the signs, case reporting and creating supportive environment for children. Traffic radio has an estimated reach of 50,000 citizens in Lagos state.

The platform offered a powerful reminder that when women lead boldly, entire communities rise. We are grateful to the WOW team, Toyota Nigeria, and the producers for creating space for this important conversation that bridges gender, justice, and advocacy.

Engagement of Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) at Kayron International School Lagos

As part of our adult awareness prevention training programme, we had the privilege of engaging the Parents and Teachers Association (PTA) of Kayron International School in a meaningful session focused on raising responsible, confident, and emotionally healthy children. Our team shared practical, age-appropriate strategies to strengthen communication between adults and children and emphasized proactive safety measures to protect children across all environments, home, school, and community. About 40 school educators and 103 parents participated in the event.

“When adults are empowered with the right knowledge, children are empowered to grow in safety and confidence,” one facilitator shared during the session. The warm reception and active participation from the PTA reinforced the power of collaboration in child protection. At Cece Yara, we remain committed to supporting schools and families in building safer, nurturing spaces where every child can thrive.

Cece Yara Child Advocacy Center informs the public about safeguarding Child Domestic Workers via IG & Twitter live sessions

Between April and June, Cece Yara Foundation, with support from Freedom Fund, successfully hosted a series of impactful Instagram Live sessions and Twitter Space chats focused on addressing the plight of child domestic workers in Nigeria. These conversations brought together diverse voices, including the Zonal Commander of NAPTIP Lagos, the PRO of the Nigerian Police Force (Lagos Command), and religious leaders from both Christian and Muslim communities. The sessions provided a platform to shed light on the harsh realities faced by these children, including denial of education, exploitation, abuse, and lack of proper support systems.

An estimated number of 25000 citizens were reached at  the events.

Discussions explored safe and regulated work environments, community-driven intervention strategies, and faith-based perspectives on protecting vulnerable children. The engagements also highlighted legal frameworks, reporting mechanisms, and the shared responsibility of society in ending child domestic labor. With thousands reached across both platforms, these conversations successfully amplified advocacy efforts, equipped participants with actionable knowledge, and inspired collective commitment toward safeguarding the rights and dignity of every child.

The Cece Yara Shelter‘s Happy Ending to the Case of Child Abduction

The Cece Yara Team put an happy ending to the case of a child that was abducted at one day old. The mother reached out to us via our child helpline to inform that she has been a victim of a human trafficking ring (baby factory). Her baby was forcefully taken away from her at birth. We engaged the police to clamp down on the baby trafficking ring and rescued the child at 10months in 2019. The child has since been in our shelter wherein we provided accommodation, education, medical ,psycho-social support,  feeding and social services till date for the child in collaboration with the Lagos state Ministry of Youths and Social Development.. We also facilitated skill acquisition for the teenage mother. The mother is now a young adult with a viable means of livelihood. Both mother and child were reconciled in May this year with Cece Yara conducting follow-up services for the child.

To maintain privacy and Confidentiality the photos of the mother and child will not be uploaded.

Emergency Rescue of Survivours of Child Prostitution

The Cece Yara team on receiving the report of a set of 11year old twin girls being used for commercial sexual exploitation by their mother in a low resource community, engaged the police and social services to rescue the twin girls. The twins are presently in our shelter wherein they are accessing medical, psycho-social support alongside home schooling to heal and get adjusted to a normal post abusive life.

To maintain privacy and Confidentiality the photos of the mother and child will not be uploaded in this report.

Also, during the quarter, 13 children who had experienced abuse were relocated their offending environment to non-offending environment.

 Justice Served

The Cece Yara legal team facilitated access to justice for an 11 year old girl who was serially defiled by an adult neighbour. The Lagos state sexual offences court gave judgement delivered by Justice Rahman Oshodi  in sentencing the perpetrator to life imprisonment. 

Links:

• Cece Yara's advocacy on Radio Traffic hosted by Women on Wheels
• IG live session