Drawing Strength From Your Inner Power.



Henrietta Nonye Odey

When I was eight, I attended a wedding party, a relative made me sit on his thighs during which he caressed my underdeveloped breasts nonstop. 



I was uncomfortable and scared so I couldn't muster enough courage to speak or say STOP!



Which made me remain in the same uncomfortable position, my discomfort should have been obvious for any adult who cared enough to look, but they all saw a child on a relative's thigh, no harm there, they must have said to themselves. 



This encouraged the perpetrator and he continued with the act for 30 minutes.



It was one of the most unpleasant 30 minutes of my life, until my elder brother came to the rescue. He told me to get up and never sit on anyone's thighs again. 



Perpetrators are often people a child knows and trusts, family and non-family alike. Child sexual abuse often occurs in places a child should feel safe. 



In Nigeria, one in four girls and 10 per cent of boys have been victims of sexual violence before their 18th birthday and only 2% of girls and 4% of boys receive any help (UNICEF).



I started a petition on change.org last week.



My ask is...



 "Compulsory Inclusion of Body Safety Education in the Kaduna State Primary School Curriculum To Prevent Sexual Abuse".



The purpose is to equip children with the knowledge and skills necessary to protect them from sexual abuse.



An informed child is a powerful child and they will draw strength from that power. This is a must-have for every child, no child should be abused in this world.



The Inclusion of Body Safety Education is one of the surest ways of ending child abuse in the State and beyond.



The plan is to win this, then work for it to be implemented in other states of the Federation.



As a mother who was once a child, I know how important it is for a child to feel safe, this ensures a happy childhood devoid of traumas that can last a lifetime.



The #RaiseDontRuin Campaign is focused on raising wholesome children, who will be ready for the challenges in this world.



Challenges many adults, now, suffered as kids. Challenges that shouldn't even exist in the first place, if the world was saner. Challenges that have ruined the lives of many children.



Child sexual abuse should never be given a chance to rear its ugly head. It's our duty as adults to protect the future of children. 



The burden of prevention lies on our shoulders because we are responsible for their well being and safety.



Our children deserve a happy and safe future. We owe our children and the children of the next generation a safer world.



Please add your voice by signing and sharing my petition!



https://www.change.org/RaiseDontRuin



Thank you! ❤❤



Henrietta Odey

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