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BJSW Advance Access published online on April 10, 2008
British Journal of Social Work, doi:10.1093/bjsw/bcn033
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© The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The British Association of Social Workers. All rights reserved

Abuse of Children in West Africa: Implications for Social Work Education and Practice

Marie-Antoinette Sossou and Joseph A. Yogtiba

Marie-Antoinette Sossou, PhD., is Assistant Professor of Social Work at University of Kentucky in Kentucky, USA. Joseph A. Yogtiba, PhD., is Assistant Professor of Human Services at Empire State College in New York, USA

Correspondence to Marie-Antoinette Sossou, College of Social Work, University of Kentucky 655 Patterson Office Tower, Lexington KY 40506. Email: msossou{at}uky.edu


  Abstract

This article discusses the pernicious problem of several abuses of children and the lack of professional social work programmes to address the problem in three West African countries of Ghana, Nigeria and Togo. Despite inaccurate statistical data, available public information reveals an alarming ascendancy of the problem in the region. Abuse and neglect of children in the sub-region has become a very serious issue of violation of human rights, social justice and violence against children, which demands a call for action on behalf of the children. The article outlined the various incidents of child sexual abuse, child trafficking, child marriage, Trokosi and neglect of disabled children in the sub-region. Poverty and traditional cultural practices have been discussed as the main causes of this phenomenon. The implications for social work education, policy, research and practice have been discussed in addition to a call for enforcement of legislations and mass education of citizens in the sub-region.

Keywords: Violence against children, sexual abuse, child trafficking, child marriage, human rights abuse


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