The domestic abuse and sexual exploitation of young girls, particularly those from underserved communities who are forced by circumstance to live with extended family members is a silent epidemic that needs to stop.
In many Nigerian homes and across Africa, countless children are sent to live with relatives — often due to poverty, loss of parents, or limited access to education. While these arrangements are meant to provide support and stability, too often they expose young girls to unimaginable harm. Behind closed doors, many are subjected to emotional, physical, and sexual abuse at the hands of those they were taught to trust — uncles, cousins, or male guardians who prey on their vulnerability.
This is not love.
This is not care.
This is abuse, and it must be condemned without hesitation or excuse.
We call attention to the harsh reality that poverty should never be a gateway to exploitation. A child’s right to safety, dignity, and education cannot depend on their household situation. Yet, in many cases, silence and stigma protect the abuser while the survivor is shamed, dismissed, or forced into eternal silence.
As a foundation committed to the empowerment of women, widows, and single-parent families, we will not stay silent. Wells of Treasure Foundation demands:
- Accountability for perpetrators of domestic and sexual abuse, regardless of family ties or social status.
- Community sensitization to break the culture of silence that protects abusers.
- Safe shelters and reporting systems for vulnerable girls and children in abusive homes.
- Collaborative intervention between faith leaders, schools, and local organizations to identify and protect at-risk children early.
We urge parents and guardians: when hardship makes it necessary to send your child to live with relatives, stay involved, ask questions, and visit often. Every child deserves not only food and shelter but also protection, affection, and respect.
At Wells of Treasure Foundation, we will continue to raise our voice and stand beside survivors through advocacy, education, and empowerment initiatives. No girl should have to trade her safety for survival.
Together, we can end the cycle of domestic abuse and restore hope for the next generation.
Let’s save our girls.
