By Osegbue Patricia
The Justice, Development and Peace Caritas (JDPC), Onitsha Region, has intensified its fight against child sexual abuse and molestation by organizing a comprehensive "Train-the-Trainer" campaign aimed at equipping community advocates with the knowledge and skills to protect vulnerable children.
The awareness campaign, held at St. Mary's Catholic Church premises, Inland Town, Onitsha, on July 20, brought together participants who will, in turn, educate people at the grassroots level on child protection, abuse prevention, and reporting mechanisms.
Speaking during the programme, the Campaign Awareness Coordinator, Mrs. Sandra Udu, said the training became necessary following the increasing cases of child abuse and molestation in society. She explained that the initiative is designed to raise trainers who will create awareness in communities, identify perpetrators, and ensure justice for survivors.
Mrs. Udu dismissed the misconception that JDPC is solely involved in food distribution within the church, stressing that the organisation's mandate extends to promoting democracy and good governance, community development, environmental protection, and social and economic justice.
According to her, JDPC monitors public projects, advocates against environmental hazards such as indiscriminate burning of tyres and blocked drainage systems, promotes tree planting, and champions the rights of vulnerable groups, particularly women and children.
She noted that the Child Abuse and Safeguarding Awareness and Management Campaign (CASAMC) provides a comprehensive guide on child protection, abuse reporting, survivor support, and safeguarding responsibilities for families, schools, parishes, and communities.
In her words, "Child protection requires more than awareness; it requires practical action, clear policies, and strong accountability structures within our schools, parishes, and communities."
She urged participants never to shield perpetrators of abuse but to remain committed to ensuring that children are supervised, respected, listened to, and protected at all times. "Protecting children is not only a legal responsibility but also a moral and spiritual obligation," she added.
In an interview, the Regional Director of JDPC, Onitsha Region, Hon. Ezekiah Umeh Nnanyelugo, explained that the organisation handles reports backed by credible evidence, conducts thorough investigations, and pursues cases until justice is achieved for victims.
He disclosed that JDPC works with professionals across different departments to provide legal, social, and other forms of support necessary to secure justice for survivors.
Also speaking, the Regional Secretary, Mrs. Ononuju Okoye Franca, identified inadequate logistics and funding as major challenges confronting the organisation.
She appealed to individuals, organisations, and development partners to support JDPC's child protection programmes to enable it expand its outreach to more communities.
One of the trainees, Mrs. Okechukwu Gladys, expressed appreciation for the training, pledging to become an active advocate against child abuse and to promote child protection within her community.
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