Abuse, whether emotional, physical, or sexual, can have lasting effects on victims. Victimized people commonly develop emotional or psychological problems secondary to their abuse, including anxiety disorders and various forms of depression. They may develop substance abuse disorders. If abuse has been very severe, the victim may be traumatized, and may develop a post-traumatic stress injury such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or acute stress disorder. If abuse has occurred from a very early age and has been substantial, a personality disorder may occur (such as borderline, narcissistic, or histrionic personality disorders or in some cases, a severe dissociative disorder such as dissociative identity disorder (commonly known as multiple personality disorder)

​

In Nigeria many children, teenagers, youth and women has been abused in different ways such as sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, psychological abuse, and domestic violence.

 

Sexual abuse takes many forms, including rape, sodomy (oral or anal sexual acts), child molestation, incest, fondling, attempted rape as well as any unwanted sexual contact. This may also include threats, bribes, humiliation, manipulation and violence. Rape often involves someone exercising power over another such as an adult over a young person to obtain sex.

 

Rape, just like other forms of sexual abuse can happen to anyone of any age, gender, race, and socioeconomic background – at any time or place. Assailants may be strangers, acquaintances, friends, or family members.

​

The psychological scars of abuse may take longer to manifest and may last forever if treatment is not received. Some of the most common psychological scars include:

• Post-traumatic stress disorder

• Anxiety disorder

• Depression

• Acting out (misbehaving, getting in trouble with police)

• Sexual promiscuity

• Drug and alcohol abuse

• Risky behavior

• Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

• Mood or personality disorders

• Fear of relationships

• Lack of self-esteem

​

OLIC provide awareness on sexual abuse in Nigeria by conducting sexual abuse seminar in Nigerian schools,  churches and communities to sensitize the children about how they can protect themselves. OLIC protect your body rules is aimed at equipping the children, teens and youth on what to do when they are faced with abuse. OLIC has conducted seminars in many primary and secondary schools on protect yourself rules that will empower and equip them with skills and knowledge to become safe in our environment.

​

We also sensitize and educate the parents, teachers and caregivers about how they can protect the children from abuse, how to identify when a child has been sexually abused, how to encourage and support a child who has been sexually abused.

​

OLIC also campaign against domestic violence, we create awareness on domestic violence through rally, seminars and symposium in communities, schools, and church. Domestic violence does not only affect women, it affects also the children. Domestic and family violence tears lives apart. One in 3 women experience physical or sexual violence, or both, caused by someone known to them. It affects women, children, the family and the community. And it has big personal, social and economic effects

.

Domestic violence causes, death, injury, disability, emotional and psychological trauma, homelessness, use of alcohol and physical health problems.

​

Of those women who experience violence, more than 50% have children in their care. Children and young people don't have to see the violence to be affected by it. Studies show that living with domestic violence can cause physical and emotional harm to children and young people in the following ways:

​

• ongoing anxiety and depression

• emotional distress

• eating and sleeping disturbances

• physical symptoms, such as headaches and stomach aches

• find it hard to manage stress

• low self-esteem

• self-harm

• be aggressive towards friends and school mates

• feel guilt or blame themselves for the violence

• have trouble forming positive relationships

• develop phobias and insomnia

• struggle with going to school and doing school work

• use bullying behaviour or become a target of bullying

• difficulty concentrating

• find it hard to solve problems

• have less empathy and caring for others

• ​

Children and young people need to grow up in a secure and nurturing environment. Where domestic or family violence exists, the home is not safe or secure and children are scared about what might happen to them and the people they love.

​