Role of School Counsellors in Addressing Sexual Abuse Among Female Students in Cross River State

This study investigates the role of school counsellors in identifying, responding to, and addressing the aftermath of sexual abuse among female secondary school students in Cross River State, South South Nigeria. Sexual abuse of adolescent girls within and around school environments represents a significant but underreported problem in Nigerian education contexts, with long-term consequences for survivors' academic engagement, mental health, and developmental trajectories. This research employed a mixed-methods design involving 85 school counsellors from secondary schools in Calabar, Ogoja, and Ikom, using the Counsellor Self-Efficacy Scale, structured interviews, and case review data. Results indicate that fewer than 30 percent of school counsellors felt adequately trained to handle sexual abuse disclosures, and only a minority were aware of the mandatory reporting obligations under Nigeria's Child Rights Act. Counsellors who had received specialised trauma training reported significantly higher confidence in supporting survivors. Systemic barriers including fear of community stigma, inadequate privacy in counselling spaces, and lack of referral pathways to child protection services were identified as critical gaps. The study recommends that the Cross River State Ministry of Education mandate specialised training on sexual abuse response for all school counsellors and establish clear, confidential referral networks linking schools to child protection agencies. Keywords: school counsellors, sexual abuse, female students, Cross River State, child protection.