Violence Causes Post Traumatic Stress Disorder In Children – Consultant Psychiatrist

By Lucky Isibor

A consultant psychiatrist, Dr. Onyema Abazie has advocated an end to violence against children as it causes post traumatic stress disorder in children which she said is a psychiatric condition.

Abazie who is a consultant psychiatrist and a Wing Commander in the Nigeria Air Force attached to to the Nigerian Air Force Air Maritime Group Medical Center, Benin City made the disclosure at the  the sensitization for security Chiefs and service commanders on the draft Edo state priority plan to end violence against children organized Friday, by the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development in conjunction with SMILE and ActionAid at the Bishop Kelly Pastoral Centre, Benin City.

In her words, “some of the violated children end up with mental health challenges common among which is depression and other risks of psychiatric issue.

“The worst are those who do not have clear cut psychiatric diagnosis but they don’t self actualise, they don’t become the kind of people they should have been if they were not violated against,” she said.

On how to manage post traumatic stress disorder in children resulting from violence, Wing Commander Abazie urged parents and caregivers to take such cases to the nearest psychiatric facility such as Uselu Psychiatric Hospital or the University of Benin Teaching Hospital where there are experts to handle the cases professionally.

“When post traumatic stress disorder resulting from violence against children occurs, it’s not something you should handle at home, the only advice is to come to the nearest psychiatric facility. We have one in Uselu and UBTH”, Dr. Abazie said.

In her remarks, wife of Edo State Governor, Mrs. Besty Obaseki urged service commanders and security Chiefs which include the Army, Police, Immigration, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Nigeria Air Force, Road Safety Corps and Edo State Traffic Management Agency to use their position to tharwt every attempt by any one to perpetrate violence against children in the state and deligently prosecute offenders to deter would be violators.

In his opening remarks, Edo State coordinator of SMILE, Charles Durojaye said the state has made a lot of milestone in its effort to protect children against violence as evidenced by the promulgation of the child rights law and establishment of family court.

Presenting the draft Edo State priority plan to end violence against children, the facilitator, Martin-Mary Falana gave the distinction between punishment and discipline pointing out that while discipline is done with love, punishment is done with anger and hostility, making the child fearful and guilty.

The facilitator stated that every child has potential for greatness adding that the potential can be cut short by violence.

He urged parents, guardians and the government to synergize to create the enabling environment to actualize their potential.