Inside Gombe community child sexual abuse crisis

A disturbing crisis of child sexual abuse is silently unfolding in Lawanti community, Gombe State, leaving young victims traumatized and fearful, while perpetrators often evade justice. The pervasive stigma and a deeply ingrained culture of silence within the community create an environment where survivors struggle to speak out, further enabling the abuse.

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I sent her to fetch firewood for us to cook in the house, but it took five hours, and my daughter did not come back. I went to the bush in search of her, only to find my daughter tired and sleepy. I had to seek assistance to move her home. After she regained consciousness, she narrated that a middle-aged man promised her firewood only to start touching her. She tried resisting but couldn’t, and he had his way.

Recent incidents highlight the severity of the crisis. In one case, a 10-year-old girl sent to fetch firewood was defiled by a middle-aged man. She was found hours later, weak and unable to walk home, recounting the ordeal after regaining consciousness. In another instance, a 15-year-old girl was attacked while returning home from delivering a message. Though she survived the physical assault, the emotional scars remain profound, compounded by the fear of stigmatization and the inability to identify her attacker.

These stories are not isolated but represent a growing problem that leaves survivors grappling with trauma, shame, and a diminished sense of safety, particularly around adult males. Experts emphasize that the impact of sexual violation on children is long-lasting, often manifesting as withdrawal, a loss of interest in school, difficulty concentrating, and significant behavioral changes.

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On my way back, she said she heard someone walking fast to catch up with her. As she looked back, she noticed that the man was coming in her direction. As she tried to hurry up, he paced faster. As she tried to scream, a big hand covered her mouth, and the man forced himself on her.

The community's struggle with this crisis is compounded by the difficulty in holding perpetrators accountable. The fear of shame and social ostracization often outweighs the desire for justice, creating a cycle of abuse that is difficult to break. Addressing this crisis requires a concerted effort to challenge the culture of silence, support survivors, and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice.

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Her life turned into an ugly one; everything came to a halt literally. She couldn’t even discuss it for fear of stigmatisation. Unfortunately, because it was in the dark, she couldn’t recognise him, so who would I hold?