This study investigated the perceived impact of sexual abuse on children’s cognitive
and social development in Awka South Local Government Education Authority of
Anambra state. Three research questions guided the study. The study adopted a
descriptive research design. The population of the study consisted of 612 Primary
school teachers in the 45 government primary schools in Awka South Local
Government Education Authority of Anambra State. A self-structured questionnaire was
used as an instrument for data collection titled “Perceived Impact of Sexual Abuse on
Children’s Cognitive and Social Development Questionnaire (PISACCSDQ)” developed
by the researcher. Three experts validated the instrument. The reliability of the
instrument was determined by Cronbach Alpha method which yielded the coefficients of
0.80, 0.84 and 0.88 respectively. The overall reliability coefficient of the instrument was
0.84. Mean was used to analyze the collected data. The findings of the study revealed
among others that identified emotional stress, disrupted attachment, inadequate family
support, social isolation are the impact of sexual abuse on the cognitive development of
children. Based on the findings, recommendations were made among others that the
state government and educational authorities should create strong legislation that
protects children from sexual abuse.

Keywords: Abuse, Trauma, Cognitive and social development