_By Yakubu Wuyep, Jos_

The Plateau State Child Protection Network (CPN) says it receives an average of at least three child abuse cases every week through its helplines, with several other cases being handled by partner organisations across the state.

The State Coordinator of CPN, Sandra Chikan, disclosed this on Friday in Jos. She warned that child abuse in Plateau goes beyond conflict-related displacement and insecurity.

According to her, children across communities are increasingly exposed to artisanal mining, substance abuse, trafficking, domestic violence, neglect and exploitation.

Chikan said reports include children as young as three and four years being taken to mining sites, while some children aged seven and eight are reportedly found on the streets late at night, exposed to drugs and other harmful activities.

She also cited cases of children brought into homes as domestic helps who are subjected to violence and exploitation, including a recent case involving a girl whose guardian allegedly broke her hand.

The CPN Coordinator further disclosed that some children are subjected to hard labour, denied food and proper care, while others are abandoned by parents and left vulnerable to various forms of abuse.

She explained that the network is a coalition of government and non-governmental organisations working to strengthen child protection, facilitate referrals, provide support services and raise awareness about child rights.

Chikan said the network handled 36 cases in the last quarter, with 85 per cent of the cases reportedly achieving some form of justice or resolution.

She added that interventions included reunification with parents, removal of children from abusive homes, medical care, education, counselling and placement in safe shelters.

She also disclosed that the network has established school-based child protection clubs to educate children about their rights and create avenues for reporting violence, abuse and exploitation.

Chikan appealed for increased funding, saying the network has launched the “Save the Plateau Child Initiative”, a six-month campaign aimed at raising N200 million to strengthen child protection interventions across the state’s 17 local government areas.

She said the funds would support the establishment of school-based child rights clubs and child protection committees, capacity building, case management, emergency support, medical care, transportation, sensitisation and other interventions.

According to her, child protection committees have so far been established in five local government areas with support from SOS Children’s Villages, while the network plans to expand the initiative to the remaining areas.

Chikan disclosed that the Plateau State Government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development, has already contributed N10 million to the initiative.

She called on individuals, businesses, organisations and governments to support the campaign.

On legislation, Chikan said the network, alongside partners including ROLAK, SOS and the Plateau Ministries of Women Affairs and Justice, has been involved in efforts to review the state’s Child Rights Law.

She added that the state government has also established the Plateau State Child Rights Implementation Committee and local government-level structures to strengthen the implementation of child protection measures.

The CPN Coordinator stressed that sustained collaboration, funding and community awareness are essential to reducing child abuse and ensuring that vulnerable children across Plateau State receive adequate protection.