COVID-19 has brought a rude shock to many of us. Our lives are disrupted and social and economic activities are almost at a total halt. There is no nation whether advanced or not that is adequately prepared for what has befallen the earth. The number of infected people from coronavirus is climbing to 5 million as I write.As the world searches for answers amidst a lot of panic and uncertainties, several schools were forced to close to prevent the spread of COVID-19 by flattening the curve. This decision has however brought a new reality for many vulnerable youths who see schools as their haven to get away from the cruelty they endure at home.
As a teacher in a public school, I have many concerns as I am at the forefront of seeing what life is for many students. I was particularly concerned about how this closure would affect the children and their education. Seeing as the quality of their education was already bad enough, and now the pandemic has further made it difficult for these children to access education or get away from abusive homes even if is for a few hours. For instance, I encountered one of the young female students at the school canteen just before school went on impromptu holiday as part of the COVID-19 preventive measures, she is aten-year-old student who pleaded I get her some food. From her parched and cracked lips to her sunken eyes, you could see that she was hungry and had not had a decent meal in days.
I got curious and asked her to tell me about herself.This was how I discovered that she was victimized and maltreated at home. The young student recounted how her aunt has been maltreating and starving her of food as a punishment for the house chore she did not complete the previous day. This was before she came back from work and had left her hungry and without food for two days. She was only eating once a day before the compulsory fasting that was imposed on her as a punishment for not washing the dishes. This kind of uncalled for violence is why many of these students prefer to come to school every day as a place of succour and learning.
While learning has not stopped has virtual education is ongoing, students like in the above example may have no access to android phones, laptops and other gadgets needed to join their peers online. When the home is not conducive and life is hard to the extent that food is made scarce for a child, getting online to learn will be the least of their concern and that of the guardians. Not only will such a teenager miss out on learning and catching up with their peers, but the abuse and violence exposed to at home are also detrimental to the growth and wellbeing of this individual.
It is unthinkable what some of these students are exposed to in their homes and vicinities. Adding to physical abuse from their parents or guardians is the undercover sexual abuse perpetrated against some of them. Being in a helpless situation where for example, a teenager could run from an uncle who wanted to molest her and hide at school till the coast is clear, is now a yesteryear’s dream, is another concern that I found worrisome. Who is looking out for these vulnerable youths? How are they fairing during these difficult times? What will their mental and emotional health be like when they are back in school? I wish I have a pragmatic answer.
The thought that many of these vulnerable teenagers are now locked in with their abusers and have no one to run to, is nerve-racking. I know that the school being open does not stop these things from happening but it provides a realization that a lot of these young students are going through so much hardship in the hands of people that should care for them.These children could be sexually exploited and made to have the sex they have always avoided. What is even chagrin is that at this period, accessing proper information, condoms, or contraceptives is almost impossible. There are online platforms where information can be accessed, however, a million of these adolescents still do not have access to the internet, especially those in the rural areas like in the public school where I teach in Delta State.
It is suffices to say that COVID-19 pandemic is exposing the loopholes and stinking parts of our society. But all hope is not lost because you and I can still make a difference in the lives of these frightened and vulnerable teenagers. While keeping safe and maintainingphysical distancing, let’s lookout for the kid next door. Look out for signs of abuse in adolescents who live close by. There is no ‘mind your business’ in the face of abuse. Call the authorities on any child molester close to you. Take it upon yourself to feed a kid who is being starved by a malevolent caregiver before reporting to the appropriate authorities. This is also a call to the Government to look into and revitalize our education and health system. I am also calling on security agencies to provide and strengthen helplines where abuse can be reported. A patrol team should be positioned in every area to receive reports of abuse, especially from children who are victimized.
In case you are aware of any sexual assault, particularly of a child, do well to reach out to the Sexual Assault Response Centres (SARCs) in your state or the Child Protection Department of the Police or your Local Government. Because there is a possibility of sexual exploitation being on the increase this period, let’s be vigilant as it is our collective duty to report such cases. By reporting, you are making your community safe for women and children. Finally, if you are aware, or come across any form of sexual exploitation against a child, swiftly call 09062981088 or email: Nigeria-PSEA@unicef.org with the following information: what happened, the people involved, where it happened, when it happened and any other details you have. At least this way, you will be doing your part in saving a life from abuse and exploitation.

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Victory Isioma Onyibeh teaches English language in Igumbor Otiku Secondary school Agbor, Delta State. She is a sexual reproductive health rights advocate and humanitarian, who trains young adults and adolescents to be responsible citizens not just on their sexual rights but on every aspect of their lives.