COFP Empower Communities to End Violence /Abuse Against Children (EVAC)

The rising cases of child abuse, including rape, molestation, neglect, and emotional violence, has increasingly been a serious concern in our communities. Some of these cases of abuse often involve trusted caregivers, and many cases remain unreported as a result of fear, stigma, or silence. In response to this, the Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace (COFP) hosted EVAC- Ending Violence Against Children, designed to equip teachers and caregivers from public, private, mission, and faith-based institutions with practical skills to protect children and uphold their rights on 16 October 2025 in Abuja. Over twenty participants brought together from different institutions also learned about important legal frameworks in protecting the lives of children, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) and Nigeria’s Child Rights Act (2003).

The EVAC trainers include representative from the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and COFP team. Speakers reminded participants of the shared moral and professional responsibility in protecting children, highlighted NAPTIP’s institutional role in tackling abuse and trafficking, and emphasized our collective commitment to child protection. Overall, the sessions reflected COFP’s continued efforts to create safer communities for children, one caregiver and one child at a time.