SEXUAL ABUSE OF THE GIRL CHILD IN PUBLIC SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN OVIA NORTH - EAST LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF EDO STATE, NIGERIA

The incessant abuse of the female students by their male counterparts including teachers has reached an alarming rate. This has led to many of them dropping out of school either as a result of unwanted pregnancy or psychological trauma.  This study examined the prevalence of sexual abuse of the girl child in public senior secondary school in Ovia North - East Local Government, Edo State. Survey design was used for the study. Three hundred and sixty students from 12 public schools in Ovia North - East Local Government Area of Edo State formed the sample. A structured questionnaire was used to elicit information from the students. Ranking and descriptive statistics of mean, standard deviation and mean deviation were used to analyze the data. The result showed that intimate fondling ranked first among the types of abuse the girl child was subjected to. It also revealed that thegirl child was more abused than their male counterpart. It was recommended, among other things, that offenders should be punished in accordance with the law so as to reduce cases of sexual abuse. In addition, counseling units should be provided in each school that will address issues of sexual abuse.