The Cece Yara App

The innovation addresses the knowledge gap in sexual abuse prevention amongst children, it creates a community of survivors/victims having access to free psychosocial support, users having access to referral pathways, survivors/victims/whistleblowers reporting cases under anonymity, and a data bank for policy dialogue and implementation.

It is alarming to learn that 1 in 4 girls and 1 in 10 boys will be sexually abused before the age of 18 in Nigeria, while only 4% of girls and 2% of boys receive help after experiencing sexual violence. This means that out of the estimated 16 million children in Nigeria that are likely to experience sexual abuse before the age of 18, 96% of girls and 98% of boys are left to deal with the long-lasting negative effects of abuse on their own, without any form of support. These effects can lead to behavioural changes including delayed development, depression, shame, fear, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, complex post-traumatic stress disorder, the propensity to further victimization in adulthood, and physical injury, among other problems.

In the past, people were not informed enough to know how to identify child sexual abuse, and such child abuse would often go unreported. The underreporting was further aggravated by cultural, religious, and socio-economic beliefs, which are not in the best interest of the abused child.

Underreporting is seen as a major reason for the high incidence of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) in Nigeria. Less than 4% of children seek help, and of these children, only a tiny fraction of those who seek help led to official reports to the police, with less than 1% of these official reports being prosecuted successfully. 

Unfortunately, most children never tell anyone what has happened to them. Typically a child will not report or disclose the details of abuse or child sexual abuse experiences because they are afraid of not being believed. A substantial influence behind not disclosing is fear and/or stigmatization.

The increased access to the internet, smartphones, social media, and online news platforms, has made it possible for people to learn about cases of child abuse. Furthermore, the increasing number of convicted perpetrators highlights the criminality and wrongfulness of child abuse and promotes a positive perception of the judicial system. This simply encourages families to report and seek justice on behalf of their children.

To this end, we are proposing to upscale/upgrade The Cece Yara App that can be deployed seamlessly on an internet-enabled mobile device; Survivors/victims would have access to therapists and counsellors in a chat community while having access to referral pathways. They would also have access to other survivors/victims to share their experiences. Caregivers/therapists/counsellors would be able to provide remote support to survivors in their comfort zone, and whistleblowers would be able to share information that could help in the prosecutorial process of a case. Also, a database for child sexual abuse and its related offences would be created and accessible for prompt policies and decision-making.

The Cece Yara App, presently available on the Android Google Play Store is an innovative way in which the Ceceyara Foundation is spreading awareness about child sexual abuse and ways to identify and prevent it. The APP is aimed at adults, parents, carers, and children who are able to use smartphones. Users are able to learn about methods of identifying abuse in an interactive and fun way, join an interactive chat community of survivors and caregivers, and learn about the child rights and Violence Against Persons Prohibitions Act, ChatBOT provides access to FAQs at any time of the day, search through a directory of health and care centres in Nigeria that can offer legal, therapeutic, or health assistance to parents and/or children in need of advice, counselling or protective shelter. Chat-live is available with Cece Yara health professional

Why it stands out:

In the absence of physical access to a trained certified health professional, the Cece Yara App has unique features that bring about quick information on child self-awareness, child protection, child sexual abuse/molestation prevention, and other sex-related offences. All these are in an interactive community of survivors/victims, caregivers, therapists, counsellors, and also whistleblowers.  Survivors can also have access to a directory of service providers on child sexual abuse referral pathways, health care, and a 24-hour Chatbot.

It is based on an internet-driven Mobile App

User profile: This would enable us to have a clear view of the demographics of all users who would have access to the app. They would be encouraged to use avatars to keep their identity anonymous as the case may be with the popular social media app called TikTok.

Interactive chat community: This section of the app would enable users to meet with peers or professionals based on their aim or need to use the app. Chat sections would be segmented/categorized into rooms using age, lifestyle, sports, and education which could be further upgraded to include more rooms.

Health care and resource directory: Users will have access to a list of service providers on CSA referral pathways across Lagos, and Abuja, and will be expanded to include referral pathways from other parts of the country.

Trivia: Interactive questions for children on Child sexual abuse prevention and reporting pathways. Also, Interactive questions for adult users for Child protection, sexual abuse prevention, and referral pathways

Simplified Child Rights (CRA) Act, 2003: A simplified version of the Child right Act which is the law that guarantees the rights of all children in Nigeria will be made easily accessible to users in other to inform them (children) about their rights as a citizen, and for the adults to be aware of their children’s rights.

Violence Against People Prohibition (VAPP) Act, 2015:  the VAPP Act is the only legislation that is focused on Gender-Based Violence and also provides for compensation for victims by offenders. On the Cece Yara App, users would have access to information about the Violence Against People Prohibitions (VAPP) Act which was passed into law in 2015

With over 500 downloads by adults (teachers) and children across various communities in Nigeria, the Cece Yara App is making a tangible impact in promoting child safety and well-being.

The Cece Yara App has been successfully downloaded by teachers in schools, enabling them to educate pupils about:

- Body Boundaries

- Assertiveness

- Staying safe from child sexual abuse

- Reporting incidents

This approach has proven effective, particularly for children without access to internet-enabled devices. By leveraging the App, we have reached underserved children without requiring in-person program implementation or engagement.

The App's value lies in providing equal access to knowledge for children in underserved communities, bridging the gap with their urban counterparts.

The Cece Yara App is a vital resource designed for the general public, with a specific focus on the following categories within communities:

- Survivors/Victims of Abuse: The App provides a safe and accessible platform for survivors to access essential information on available referral pathways, care, and support services.

- Children: The App empowers children to disclose cases of abuse to trusted authorities without fear, shame, or stigma. This confidential reporting mechanism ensures their safety and well-being.

- Teachers: Educators can utilize the App to access care and support services for child survivors within the school system and its associated environments, fostering a safe and supportive learning environment.

- Parents: The App provides parents with vital information on accessing care and support for their children in the event of abuse, ensuring they receive the help they need.

- Medical Professionals: The App connects survivors of sexual abuse with comprehensive services, including medical care, psychosocial support, legal aid, emergency intervention, and more.

Our team is a dynamic and dedicated group of individuals who are fiercely passionate about protecting children and preventing childhood sexual abuse. With a diverse range of expertise and backgrounds, our team members bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. From social workers, doctors, nurses, child psychotherapists, counsellors, and lawyers to advocates and educators, our team is comprised of professionals who are deeply committed to the cause of child protection.

United by a shared mission to achieve healing and justice for children who have suffered sexual abuse or who are at risk, our team works tirelessly to provide support, resources, and services to those in need. We believe that every child deserves a safe and nurturing environment, and we are dedicated to making that a reality.

Our team's diversity is one of our greatest strengths, allowing us to approach the complex issue of child sexual abuse from multiple angles. With expertise in areas such as trauma-informed care, advocacy, and community engagement, we are able to provide comprehensive support to children, families, and communities affected by sexual abuse.

Together, we are driven by a shared vision of a world where children are free from the threat of sexual abuse and can grow up in safety and dignity. Our team's passion, expertise, and commitment to this cause make us a powerful force for change, and we are dedicated to making a lasting impact in the lives of children and families everywhere."

So far, the Cece Yara App has been able to help survivors and critical stakeholders in the child protection space including government agencies like the Ministry of Youth and Social Development and the Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency and other community-based organisations. 

These stakeholders have tested the App and bought into the idea as a means to mitigate the problem of lack of access to health services by survivors and their non-offending family members.

Building on the success of the Cece Yara App, we are now seeking to amplify our impact by forming strategic partnerships with organizations and entities that share our commitment to supporting survivors of child sexual abuse. Our proposal aims to secure financial, technical, and marketing support to expand our reach and services, ensuring that more survivors in remote, impoverished, and urban poor communities across Nigeria have access to the care and support they deserve.

Specifically, we are seeking partnerships in the following areas:

- Financial Support: Funding to enhance our App's capabilities, develop new features, and sustain our operations, enabling us to reach more communities and support more survivors.

- Technical Support: Expertise and resources to enhance the App's technology, improve user experience, and ensure seamless integration with existing support systems.

- Marketing Support: Collaborations to raise awareness about the Cece Yara App, promote its benefits, and reach a wider audience, including remote and underserved communities.

By partnering with like-minded organizations and entities, we can:

- Increase our reach and impact, supporting more survivors and preventing further abuse

- Enhance the quality and effectiveness of our services, ensuring the best possible outcomes for survivors

- Leverage collective expertise and resources, driving innovation and excellence in supporting survivors

- Strengthen our collective voice, advocating for policies and practices that prioritize child safety and well-being

Together, we can create a comprehensive support ecosystem that empowers survivors, holds perpetrators accountable, and fosters a culture of safety and respect for all children in Nigeria.

This is one of its one-of-a-kind innovation in the child protection space in Nigeria. With the success achieved in the pilot phase we are hoping to expand this service to more communities with the aim to provide access to information and care for survivors of sexual abuse.

This is one of its one-of-a-kind innovation in the child protection space in Nigeria. With the success achieved in the pilot phase we are hoping to expand this service to more communities with the aim to provide access to information and care for survivors of sexual abuse.

This is one of its one-of-a-kind innovation in the child protection space in Nigeria. With the success achieved in the pilot phase we are hoping to expand this service to more communities with the aim to provide access to information and care for survivors of sexual abuse.

This intervention is powered by technology using the internet to power App... 

We have tested this application with key stakeholders in the space and the results came out positive in providing access to healthcare for survivors of sexual abuse.

The Chief Executive Officer

The Chief Operating Officer

The Program Manager

The Communications Manager

The IT Manager

2 years

We have a team of multidisciplinary including doctors, social workers, nurses, counsellors, shelter managers who are at work round the clock to provide effective service to survivors