By Hassana Yakubu
Kaduna – Mrs Juliana Joseph, Centre Manager, Salamat Social Assault and Referral Centre, Kaduna, has called on parents to teach their children self protection methods.
Joseph said it was essential to equip them with methods for self protection against evil perpetrators of rape and violation of young girls and boys in the society.
She told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Kaduna on Wednesday that: “One thing the perpetrators normally do is that they will bring out a knife and threaten the child that ‘I am going to kill you if you tell l your father or mother’.
” You must teach your child that if somebody corner’s and try do something abnormal with you, just shout and call for attention,” she said.
The manager further advised parents, most especially mothers, not to be too judgmental on the children but to always give them listening ears.
“We mothers must never be judgmental and don’t be in a hurry to judge your child or to abuse your child whenever he comes with issues, allow the child to express himself,” she added.
According to her, the centre offers free psycho-social treatment to people that have been assaulted and also refer such cases to the state ministry of justice for prosecution of the perpetrators of such act.
“We do three things at the centre; psycho-social treatment to people that have been assaulted, medical treatment and we refer these cases for prosecution.
“These services are given free of charge; this is how the centre is set up,” the manager said.
She explained that the centre was set up by DFID under Justice for All Programme, which rehabilitated the centre, trained the staff and equipped the centre.
(NAN)