Media Representation of Child Abuse and Its Policy Implications in Nigeria
Main Article Content
Abstract
Child abuse remains a significant social issue in Nigeria, with long-term consequences for victims and society. The media plays a crucial role in shaping public perception and policy responses to child abuse through its representation of cases, narratives, and framing of the issue. This study examines the media’s portrayal of child abuse in Nigeria, exploring the extent to which news coverage, documentaries, and other forms of media representation influence public awareness, government action, and policy formulation. It analyzes the dominant themes in media reports, including sensationalism, victim-blaming, and advocacy-driven narratives, while assessing the ethical and professional standards maintained by journalists in reporting such cases. Findings suggest that while the media has been instrumental in bringing child abuse cases to public attention, coverage is often inconsistent, and sometimes lacks depth, context, and follow-up reporting. Sensationalized stories may attract public outrage but do not always translate into sustained policy action or structural reforms. Additionally, cultural biases and societal stigma influence the framing of child abuse cases, sometimes shifting the blame onto victims or downplaying the role of systemic failures. This paper argues that effective media representation of child abuse should go beyond episodic reporting to include investigative journalism, human-centered storytelling, and advocacy for policy change. It highlights the need for training journalists on ethical reporting of child abuse and calls for stronger collaboration.
Article Details
How to Cite
Onyejelem, T. E., Muhammad Danjuma Abubakar, Omotola Ogunbola, Emmanuel Blessing Oyiza, & Muhammad Ridwan. (2025). Media Representation of Child Abuse and Its Policy Implications in Nigeria. Polit Journal Scientific Journal of Politics, 5(2), 67-78. https://doi.org/10.33258/polit.v5i2.1271
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Articles
References
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Kwagyang, G. U., Saulawa, M.A., and Daud, K.A. (2016). Child trafficking in Nigeria: Causes, consequences and the way forward. International Journal of Law, 2, 17-26.
Maikaba, B., & Msughter, A. E. (2019). Digital Media and Cultural Globalisation: The Fate of African Value System. Humanities and Social Sciences, 12(1), 214-220.
Manyike, P. C., Chinawa, J. M., Aniwada, E., Udechukwu, N. P., Odetunde, O. I., & Chinawa, A. T. (2015). Child abuse among adolescents in southeast Nigeria: A concealed public health behavioral issue. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 31(4), 827–832. https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.314.7115
Nathalie P. (2021). Representations of Child Abuse in Quebec Print Media and the Integration of Child Psychological Ill-Treatment into the Youth Protection Act: When Distancing Abusive Families Matters More. Sociology Study, Sept.-Oct. 2021, Vol. 11, No. 5, 165-188 doi: 10.17265/2159-5526/2021.05.001
Nganya, C., & Oshibe, N. (2024). Impact of Al-Jazeera’s Ideological position of Sufferings of Women and Children in the 2023/2024 Israeli-Hamas War on Christian/Muslim Relationship in Nigeria. Ianna Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 6(2), 87–98. Retrieved from https://iannajournalofinterdisciplinarystudies.com/index.php/1/article/view/287
Nnaemeka, O.R. (2016). Urban sprawl and sustainable city development in Nigeria, Journal of Ecological Engineering, 17 (2), 1–11.
Nwadiaro E.C., and Nkwocha D.I. (2011). Kidnapping for ransom: a prevalent urban pandemic in Nigeria, Research Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies,1(1), 18–28.
Nwafor, K. A., Onwe, E. C., Onyejelem, T. E., Ujebe, N., Omojunikanbi, N. C., Chime-
of social media. Information System and Smart City, 3(1): doi: 10.59400/issc.v3i1.502
Ojiakor I, & Etodike C. (2018). Media and child rights reporting in Nigeria. Awka: Favour Prints.
Okeafor, C. U., Okeafor, I. N., & Tobin-West, C. I. (2016). Relationship between sexual abuse in childhood and the occurrence of mental illness in adulthood: A matched case-control study in Nigeria. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, 30(4), 438–453. https://doi.org/10.1177/1079063216672172
Olaitan O. & Oyeniyi A. (2015). Realizing the Right to Development in Nigeria: An Examination of Legal Barriers and Challenges, 6 J. OF SUST. DEV. LAW & POLICY 145, 159.
Olaitan O. O., & Amos A. I. (2016). Child Abuse In Nigeria: Dimension, Reasons For Its Persistence And Probable.
Onyejelem, T. E., Aondover, E. M., Adewale, O. C., Akin-Odukoya, O. O., & Chime-Nganya, C. R. (2025). Global Terrorism and Media Reportage of Boko Haram Cases in the 21st Century. SIASAT, 10(1), 71-83.
Onyejelem, T. E., Ezeonyejiaku, N. P., Nwafor, O. A., & Nwodu, G. E. (2023). Portrayal of
Onyejelem, T.E & Nwokeocha, I.M (2024). Evaluation of child’s right portrayal in
Onyejelem, T.E (2020). Reporting Child Right through film ‘language’ in Okunna, C.S (ed)
Oreoluwa, P. A., Vitalis, P. O., Nneka, A. Q., Collins-Dike, J., & Ridwan, M. (2024). Online Harassment of Female Journalist in Lagos State. Polit Journal Scientific Journal of Politics, 4(3), 162-174.
select Nollywood films. International Journal of Applied and Scientific Research (IJASR) 2(4): 433-448.
Terr L. (2010). Childhood trauma: an outline and overview, American Journal of Psychiatry, 148, 10–20.
Vitalis, P. O., Amadi, R. N., & Whyte, D. H. (2024). Social Construct of Nollywood Films and Ethnocentrism in Southern Nigeria. CINEJ Cinema Journal, 12(2), 152-179.
Vitalis, P. O., Aondover, E. M., Ogunbola, O., Onyejelem, T. E., & Ridwan, M. (2025). Accessing Digital Divide and Implications in Nigeria: The Media Dimension. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal), 8(1), 1-12.
Vitalis, P. O., Aondover, E. M., Ogunbola, O., Onyejelem, T. E., & Ridwan, M. (2025). Accessing Digital Divide and Implications in Nigeria: The Media Dimension. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal), 8(1), 1-12.
Vitalis, P.O, Onyejelem, T.E, & Okuneye, A.P. (2024). Understanding advertising in the era
Akinlusi, F. M., Rabiu, K. A., Olawepo, T. A., Adewunmi, A. A., Ottun, T. A., & Akinola, O. I. (2014). Sexual assault in Lagos, Nigeria: A five year retrospective review. BMC Women’s Health, 14(1), 115. https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6874-14-115.
Akpan N., & Oluwabamide A.J. (2010). The menace of child abuses in Nigeria: a case study of street hawking in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Journal of Social Sciences, 24(3),189-192.
Aliyu, M. A., Msughter, A. E., & Nneka, A. Q. (2023). Comparative Study of National Development Plans in Nigeria and India: Media Dimension. SIASAT, 8(4), 202-212.
Aondover, E. M., & Akin-Odukoya, O. (2024). Trends and Dynamics of Popular Culture and Media Messages on Public Transport Literature in Nigeria. Lakhomi Journal Scientific Journal of Culture, 5(3), 183-195.
Aondover, E. M., Daushe, A. U., Ogunbola, O., & Aondover, P. O. (2025). Media Coverage of Internally Displaced Persons in two Selected Newspapers in Nigeria. Journal of Migration and Health, 100301.
Aondover, E. M., Okuneye, A. P., & Onyejelem, T. E. (2024). Application of new media in peace building and conflict resolution in Nigeria. Journal of African Conflicts and Peace Studies, 6(1). https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/jacaps/vol6/iss1/8
Aondover, E. M., Yar’Adua, S. M., & Aondover, P. O. (2025). Influence of Digital Images on the Propagation of Fake News on Twitter in Russia and Ukraine Crisis. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal), 8(1), 59-74.
Aondover, P. O., Aondover, E. M., & Babele, A. M. (2022). Two nations, same technology, different outcomes: Analysis of technology application in Africa and America. Journal of Educational Research and Review, 1(1), 001-008.
Aondover, P. O., Aondover, E. M., Adewale, O. C., Akin-Odukoya, O. O., & Maradun, L. U. (2024). Media Portrayal of Female Celebrities in the Nigerian Press. Konfrontasi: Jurnal Kultural, Ekonomi dan Perubahan Sosial, 11(4), 259-272.
Ashimi, A. O., Amole, T. G., & Ugwa, E. A. (2015). Reported sexual violence among women and children seen at the gynecological emergency unit of a rural tertiary health facility, northwest Nigeria. Annals of Medical and Health Sciences Research, 5(1), 26–29. https://doi.org/10.4103/2141-9248.149780
Communication and Media Studies: Multiple Perspectives (423 – 439). New Generation Educare Ltd.
Drug-Related Crimes among Teenagers in Nollywood Movies: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Nimbe. IMSU Journal of Communication Studies, 7(2), 156-168. https://nbn-resolving.org/urn:nbn:de:0168-ssoar-91294-5
Gabriel, I. (2012). Harmful Cultural Practices and Reproductive Health in Nigeria, 6 Continental j. Tropical Med. 27, 30.
Hassan, M. A., Gary, F., Killion, C., Lewin, L., & Totten, V. (2015). Patterns of child abuse among children: Victims’ and perpetrators’ characteristics. Journal of Aggression, Maltreatment & Trauma, 24(4), 400–418. https://doi.org/10.1080/10926771.2015.1022289
Hassan, M., Awosan, K. J., Panti, A. A., Nasir, S., Tunau, K., Umar, A. G., Shehu, C. E., Ukwu, A. E., & Sulaiman, B. (2016). Prevalence and pattern of sexual assault in Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto, Nigeria. Pan African Medical Journal, 24(332), 1–7. https://doi.org/10.11604/pamj.2016.24.332.9462
Hile, M. M., Msughter, A. E., & Aliyu, M. A. (2023). Secularism and Ethical Issues in Media Practice as a Bane for National Development. SIASAT, 8(3), 166-177.
Itiafa, A. L., & Msughter, A. E. (2022). Chapter sixteen utilisation of social media for political participation amongst undergraduates of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and Bayero University, Kano. Thoughts on, 180.
Kayode, J., Adeniran R. (2016). Nigerian press coverage of children as victims and perpetrators of crimes. Available:https://www.researchgate.net/pu blication/289238266_Nigerian_Press_Cov erage_of_Children_as_Victims_and_Perpe trators_of_Crimes
Kellogg, N. D., Koek, W., & Nienow, S. M. (2020). Factors that prevent, prompt, and delay disclosures in female victims of child abuse. Child Abuse & Neglect, 101, 104360. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104360
Kwagyang, G. U., Saulawa, M.A., and Daud, K.A. (2016). Child trafficking in Nigeria: Causes, consequences and the way forward. International Journal of Law, 2, 17-26.
Maikaba, B., & Msughter, A. E. (2019). Digital Media and Cultural Globalisation: The Fate of African Value System. Humanities and Social Sciences, 12(1), 214-220.
Manyike, P. C., Chinawa, J. M., Aniwada, E., Udechukwu, N. P., Odetunde, O. I., & Chinawa, A. T. (2015). Child abuse among adolescents in southeast Nigeria: A concealed public health behavioral issue. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 31(4), 827–832. https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.314.7115
Nathalie P. (2021). Representations of Child Abuse in Quebec Print Media and the Integration of Child Psychological Ill-Treatment into the Youth Protection Act: When Distancing Abusive Families Matters More. Sociology Study, Sept.-Oct. 2021, Vol. 11, No. 5, 165-188 doi: 10.17265/2159-5526/2021.05.001
Nganya, C., & Oshibe, N. (2024). Impact of Al-Jazeera’s Ideological position of Sufferings of Women and Children in the 2023/2024 Israeli-Hamas War on Christian/Muslim Relationship in Nigeria. Ianna Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, 6(2), 87–98. Retrieved from https://iannajournalofinterdisciplinarystudies.com/index.php/1/article/view/287
Nnaemeka, O.R. (2016). Urban sprawl and sustainable city development in Nigeria, Journal of Ecological Engineering, 17 (2), 1–11.
Nwadiaro E.C., and Nkwocha D.I. (2011). Kidnapping for ransom: a prevalent urban pandemic in Nigeria, Research Journal of Peace and Conflict Studies,1(1), 18–28.
Nwafor, K. A., Onwe, E. C., Onyejelem, T. E., Ujebe, N., Omojunikanbi, N. C., Chime-
of social media. Information System and Smart City, 3(1): doi: 10.59400/issc.v3i1.502
Ojiakor I, & Etodike C. (2018). Media and child rights reporting in Nigeria. Awka: Favour Prints.
Okeafor, C. U., Okeafor, I. N., & Tobin-West, C. I. (2016). Relationship between sexual abuse in childhood and the occurrence of mental illness in adulthood: A matched case-control study in Nigeria. Sexual Abuse: A Journal of Research and Treatment, 30(4), 438–453. https://doi.org/10.1177/1079063216672172
Olaitan O. & Oyeniyi A. (2015). Realizing the Right to Development in Nigeria: An Examination of Legal Barriers and Challenges, 6 J. OF SUST. DEV. LAW & POLICY 145, 159.
Olaitan O. O., & Amos A. I. (2016). Child Abuse In Nigeria: Dimension, Reasons For Its Persistence And Probable.
Onyejelem, T. E., Aondover, E. M., Adewale, O. C., Akin-Odukoya, O. O., & Chime-Nganya, C. R. (2025). Global Terrorism and Media Reportage of Boko Haram Cases in the 21st Century. SIASAT, 10(1), 71-83.
Onyejelem, T. E., Ezeonyejiaku, N. P., Nwafor, O. A., & Nwodu, G. E. (2023). Portrayal of
Onyejelem, T.E & Nwokeocha, I.M (2024). Evaluation of child’s right portrayal in
Onyejelem, T.E (2020). Reporting Child Right through film ‘language’ in Okunna, C.S (ed)
Oreoluwa, P. A., Vitalis, P. O., Nneka, A. Q., Collins-Dike, J., & Ridwan, M. (2024). Online Harassment of Female Journalist in Lagos State. Polit Journal Scientific Journal of Politics, 4(3), 162-174.
select Nollywood films. International Journal of Applied and Scientific Research (IJASR) 2(4): 433-448.
Terr L. (2010). Childhood trauma: an outline and overview, American Journal of Psychiatry, 148, 10–20.
Vitalis, P. O., Amadi, R. N., & Whyte, D. H. (2024). Social Construct of Nollywood Films and Ethnocentrism in Southern Nigeria. CINEJ Cinema Journal, 12(2), 152-179.
Vitalis, P. O., Aondover, E. M., Ogunbola, O., Onyejelem, T. E., & Ridwan, M. (2025). Accessing Digital Divide and Implications in Nigeria: The Media Dimension. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal), 8(1), 1-12.
Vitalis, P. O., Aondover, E. M., Ogunbola, O., Onyejelem, T. E., & Ridwan, M. (2025). Accessing Digital Divide and Implications in Nigeria: The Media Dimension. Budapest International Research and Critics Institute-Journal (BIRCI-Journal), 8(1), 1-12.
Vitalis, P.O, Onyejelem, T.E, & Okuneye, A.P. (2024). Understanding advertising in the era