Lafia Journal of Religion and Humanities

This research traces the background of child abuse to the middle ages: pre-GrecoRoman era, traditional period in Yoruba/Egun land and Biblical era; most especially the reigns of King Pharaoh in Egypt and King Herod the Great, when children were slaughtered like animals. It establishes the problems caused by child abuse, which includes: emotional instability, trauma, accident, unwanted pregnancy, retrogression on academic performance and separation from parents. This study aims at correcting erroneous approaches to child discipline, which includes sending them on errand at odd times. The scope of the study is limited to Badagry town. The study discusses brief history of Badagry town in Lagos State, causes of child abuse in Badagry communities, child abuse as a menace to the society and panaceas to child abuse in the society with emphasis on Badagry. It uses phenomenological research method to collect data. The findings reveal that child abuse is a relative and contentious term, so what is child abuse at a place could be a norm and value in another community. In spite of this, the research discusses some practices that are universally treated and accepted as child abuse. The importance of this study is validated by the increasing rate at which pedophilia, child trafficking and kidnapping are becoming common practice in human society. The study recommends that the Church, as well as other agents of change like the family, government, educational institutions and the media, should quickly respond to the situation.

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