Cross River Children’s Parliament Raises Alarm Over Alleged Sexual Assault of Vulnerable Girl in Calabar

CALABAR, CROSS RIVER STATE — The Cross River State Children’s Parliament has raised serious concern over reports of the alleged sexual assault of a vulnerable girl child in Calabar, calling on relevant authorities to prioritise her immediate safety, medical care, psychosocial wellbeing, and access to justice.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Children’s Parliament said it became aware of reports concerning the alleged assault of the young girl, reportedly involving three persons described in the reports as street-connected youths.

According to information available to the Parliament, the child was allegedly found abandoned on the streets following the incident and was subsequently taken to seek assistance.

The Parliament acknowledged reports that the matter had already reached relevant authorities, including the Nigeria Police Force and social welfare officials.

It welcomed interventions that reportedly helped move the child away from the streets and into a safer environment but stressed that protecting the child must go beyond simply providing temporary shelter.

Immediate Protection and Medical Care

The Children’s Parliament called for the child to receive appropriate medical examination and treatment without unnecessary delay.

It also urged authorities to provide trauma-informed psychosocial support, proper documentation, and sustained child-protection intervention throughout the response.

“Immediate protection must be accompanied by appropriate medical care, psychosocial support, proper documentation, child-protection intervention and a thorough investigation of the allegations,” the Parliament stated.

The body further urged the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant investigative authorities to conduct a prompt, thorough, and child-sensitive investigation into the allegations.

It stressed that anyone established to be responsible must be held accountable in accordance with the law.

Call for Long-Term Child Protection

Beyond the immediate response, the Children’s Parliament called on social welfare and child-protection authorities to ensure that the girl does not return to an unsafe environment after any temporary intervention.

It advocated safe placement, continued monitoring, and long-term welfare support appropriate to the child’s circumstances.

The Parliament also called for any institutional or procedural challenges encountered while attempting to obtain emergency or medico-legal services for the child to be reviewed.

According to the body, vulnerable children should not be left without necessary care simply because reporting, documentation, or investigative procedures are still being activated.

Concern Over Vulnerable Children

The Children’s Parliament used the incident to draw attention to the wider challenges confronting children who live or work on the streets.

It noted that homelessness, poverty, and the absence of adequate family support can expose children to serious forms of exploitation and abuse.

The Parliament therefore called for stronger collaboration between government agencies, law-enforcement authorities, healthcare institutions, social welfare departments, and other child-protection stakeholders.

It stressed that protecting children in vulnerable circumstances requires sustained intervention rather than responses that begin only after serious harm has occurred.

The Cross River State Children’s Parliament reaffirmed its commitment to advocating for the rights, dignity, safety, and wellbeing of children across the state.

It concluded with three principles it said must remain at the centre of every child-protection response:

Every child deserves protection.

Every child deserves dignity.

Every child deserves justice.