Nature and Types of Maltreatment Suffered by Students of Secondary Schools in Niger State
J. Gyong, J. Hellandendu, J. Kolo

Abstract
This study was carried out to examine the types of maltreatment suffered by children of secondary schools in Niger State. Questionnaire was the instrument of data collection, purposively administered to two hundred and forty students in eight secondary schools in the state. Percentages and frequencies were adopted as instruments of data analysis. The findings reveal the following as forms of maltreatment suffered by the children: inadequate medical care, inadequate school materials, being asked to hawk, being starved, being over worked, throwing objects at and pouring hot liquid on. It was found that hawking (67.5%) is the most frequently reported form of maltreatment. On the whole, the data show that a higher proportion of male children suffered severe forms of maltreatment than female. It is recommended that abusive parents be informed and advised on the negative effects of psychological and physical forms of maltreatment on their children. School teacher should pay more attention on identified maltreated children with a view to giving them necessary support. School teachers should be vigilant to identify and monitor abusive parents so as to guide them on best ways of disciplining their children.

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