EAST PROVINCE HOLDS WORKSHOP FOR SEMINARIANS ON “SAFEGUARDING OF MINORS AND PROTECTION OF VULNERABLE PERSONS.”
by cmf
The East Nigeria Province and the Independent Delegation of West Nigeria organised a two-day workshop for all their students and formators on the Safeguarding of Minors and Protection of Vulnerable Persons on March 4 and March 18 2024, at 16:00 hours. The resource personnel was the canonist, Rev. Fr. Okonkwo Peter CMF (Director of InCLA).
Fr. Okonkwo started his talk with the definitions of a minor and a vulnerable adult. A minor is someone who is below the age of eighteen (18) according to the Nigerian constitution. A vulnerable adult on the other hand, refers to women, children, sick persons, migrants and prisoners who are living under poverty and disability. It also refers to one who stands under your authority. Seminarians and religious who are under initial formation are also vulnerable adults.
The types or forms of abuse include: physical abuse, sexual abuse, spiritual abuse, emotional and psychological abuse, neglect, hate crimes, and economic abuse. Effects of sexual abuse include violence, negative self-image, passive and abusive behaviour and fear of intimacy. Every institute must have a policy that should be upheld and everyone should be duly notified. Everyone was advised to respond quickly to issues of sexual abuse: “when you see something, say something.”
The workshop on the abuse of minors and vulnerable adults was well understood by the participants who made valuable contributions and asked good questions. They further expressed their gratitude to Fr. Okonkwo Peter CMF, to the East Nigeria Province and the Independent Delegation of West Nigeria for coming up with such a great program.
Noah Ochegba Daniel Demian CMF.
