Bright Light Projects Launches Campaign against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse at Christ the King School in Bamenda, Northwest Cameroon
Bright Light Project Cameroon, in collaboration with the Association for the Welfare of Albinos Cameroon (AWAC) and the Network for Solidarity, Hope and Empowerment Cameroon (NSHEC), has carried out awarenes raising campaign on “My Community, My Responsibility: Say NO to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA)” campaign at Christ the King School Complex in Bamenda.
The session brought together students, teachers, school administrators, and other stakeholders in a collective effort to strengthen child protection, promote community safety, and raise awareness about Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.
The activity forms part of a 15-day community awareness campaign designed to improve understanding of SEA, promote prevention, and encourage safe and timely reporting of abuse within schools and communities.
During the sensitization session, participants were introduced to the meaning and different forms of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, warning signs, potential consequences, and available reporting mechanisms. Facilitators used interactive presentations, discussions, and question-and-answer sessions to encourage participants to openly discuss issues surrounding child protection and personal safety.
Particular emphasis was placed on the responsibility of communities to protect children and other vulnerable persons from exploitation and abuse. Facilitators also highlighted the importance of creating safe environments where victims and survivors can report incidents without fear of stigma, intimidation, retaliation, or discrimination.
Students actively participated throughout the session, raising questions and sharing their perspectives on safety and protection. Their participation demonstrated the important role young people can play in promoting safer schools and communities and in speaking out against Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.
The administration of Christ the King School Complex welcomed the campaign and commended the collaborating organizations for bringing the sensitization initiative to the school community.
School authorities emphasized the importance of sustained awareness-raising activities to ensure that students have the knowledge, confidence, and practical skills necessary to recognize unsafe situations, protect themselves and others, and seek appropriate support when abuse occurs.
The discussions further underscored that preventing SEA cannot be left solely to individual victims or survivors. Families, schools, community leaders, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders all have a responsibility to contribute to environments where children and young people are respected, protected, and empowered.
The first sensitization session represents an important milestone in the implementation of the 15-day campaign. It also reinforces the commitment of Bright Light Project Cameroon, AWAC, and NSHEC to combating Sexual Exploitation and Abuse through community awareness, child protection, advocacy, and collective action.
The campaign message, “My Community, My Responsibility: Say NO to Sexual Exploitation and Abuse,” calls on community members to move beyond awareness towards concrete action—including prevention, safe reporting, support for survivors, and accountability for perpetrators.
The activity concluded with participants collectively reaffirming the campaign message:
“NO SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE IN MY COMMUNITY.”
Through continued collaboration and community engagement, the campaign seeks to contribute to safer learning and community environments where every child and vulnerable person is protected, respected, and empowered to live free from exploitation and abuse.
Berinyuy Cajetan is the founder and publisher of Human Rights and Legal Research Centre (HRLRC) since 2017. He has intensive experience in strategic communications for Civil Society Organizations, campaign and advocacy, and social issues. He has an intensive experiencing in human rights monitoring, documentation and reporting.
