STAND FOR HUMANITY FOUNDATION
PRESS RELEASE
Child Abuse not a family affair, says ex Imo speaker, Ike C. Ibe
...s human rights protectors seek stiffer punishments for defilement, rape, battery
...Say: bureaucratic and logistical bottlenecks denying justice to victims of child abuse
Stand For Humanity Foundation, today, September 26, 2026, in Owerri - Imo State held a significant human capacity-building programme focused on the theme:
“LEGAL SOLUTIONS TO CHILD ABUSE”
The programme brought together stakeholders, advocates and participants committed to strengthening child protection and advancing effective legal, institutional and community-based responses to child abuse.
A major highlight of the programme was the presence of Rt. Hon. Ike C. Ibe, Ph.D. (Law), former Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, who served as the resource person and delivered an insightful and compelling presentation on the legal and institutional measures required to address child abuse effectively relying on the topic " Legal Solutions To Child Abuse."
Drawing from his legal knowledge and experience in public service, Rt. Hon. Ike C. Ibe, Ph.D. (Law) from American University, Washington DC emphasized that child abuse must no longer be treated merely as a private family matter. He stressed the need for society and relevant institutions to recognize child abuse as a serious human rights concern requiring deliberate legal, social and institutional intervention.
One of the powerful messages highlighted during the programme was:
«“Child abuse is not mainly a family problem; it is a social concern and, fundamentally, a violation of human rights.”»
The statement underscores the collective responsibility of societies to protect children and ensure that their rights to safety, dignity, justice and protection are upheld.
During his presentation, Rt. Hon. Ike C. Ibe called for the establishment and strengthening of child-friendly police units where children can report abuse and seek protection in environments designed to reduce fear, intimidation and further trauma.
He further emphasized the urgent need for properly trained investigators who possess specialized knowledge and skills for handling cases involving children.
According to Rt. Hon. Ike C. Ibe, Ph.D. (Law):
«“To investigate crimes involving children effectively, you must understand the psychology and physiology of children. If you do not understand the psychology and developmental realities of children, you cannot effectively investigate crimes surrounding them.”»
His submission highlighted an important principle: investigating crimes against children require more than conventional investigative techniques. They require specialized understanding of child psychology, child development, trauma, communication, evidence gathering and child-sensitive investigative procedures.
A justice system that is properly equipped to understand how children communicate, respond to trauma and disclose experiences is better positioned to handle cases involving children with the sensitivity and professionalism they require.
The President of Stand For Humanity Foundation, Chidiebube Okeoma, expressed profound appreciation to Rt. Hon. Ike C. Ibe, Ph.D. (Law) for his exceptional contribution to the programme.
Okeoma described the resource person’s presentation as insightful, impactful and exceptionally delivered, noting that his wealth of legal knowledge and experience added significant value to the capacity-building programme.
He particularly appreciated Rt. Hon. Ike C. Ibe for taking the time to share his expertise and for providing participants with practical perspectives on the legal and institutional approaches necessary to strengthen child protection.
The President reaffirmed the Foundation’s commitment to creating platforms where experienced professionals, legal practitioners, policymakers, advocates and community stakeholders can share knowledge and develop practical solutions to pressing human rights challenges.
He called for stiffer punishments for abusers of children, especially cases of child battery, defilements, rapes and all sorts of indignation against children.
Okeoma, also called for a systematic change in the processes of accessing institutional aids for victims.
He payed emphasis on the society's snail pace of the justice system, the bureaucratic and logistical bottlenecks in police prosecution processes, adding that such underlayers dampon the enthusiasms of those who seek justice for victims of harms on children and most times deny victims and survivors of child abuse access to justice and rehabilitation.
Stand For Humanity Foundation emphasized that meaningful solutions to child abuse require collaboration among law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, legal practitioners, social workers, healthcare professionals, educators, families, civil society organizations, community leaders and child protection advocates.
The Foundation believes that laws and policies must be supported by effective implementation, trained personnel, accessible reporting mechanisms, appropriate investigative procedures and systems that place the safety, dignity and best interests of the child at the centre of every intervention.
The contributions of Rt. Hon. Ike C. Ibe, Ph.D. (Law) during the programme reinforced the importance of strengthening these systems and ensuring that professionals responsible for protecting children are adequately equipped for the task.
The “Legal Solutions to Child Abuse” capacity-building programme therefore served not only as an educational engagement but also as a renewed call for collective responsibility and meaningful action.
The message emerging from the programme was simple but profound: every child deserves protection.
Every child deserves to grow up in an environment where their rights are respected, their voices are heard, their concerns are taken seriously and effective protection is available whenever those rights are threatened.
Protecting children is not simply about responding to abuse after it occurs. It is about building stronger laws, institutions, communities and professional systems capable of preventing abuse, identifying risks, responding appropriately, investigating professionally and ensuring that justice remains accessible to every child.
Stand For Humanity Foundation remains committed to advancing human rights, strengthening child protection, building institutional capacity and promoting a society where every child can live with dignity, safety, justice and hope.
The Foundation also extends its sincere appreciation to Rt. Hon. Ike C. Ibe, Ph.D. (Law) for his exceptional service as the resource person and for contributing his knowledge, experience and legal perspectives to this important conversation.
Comrade Chibueze Ekechi,
Publicity Secretary.
September 26, 2026.