Kidz Clinic worried about high child rape cases

Many Alex children may forever live with mental scars from sexual and other abuse by perpetrators in their home and community.

This was said by non-profit organisation Kidz Clinic’s manager, Elizabeth Mokoena, who said child abuse was disturbingly high in the densely populated township where many families share single rooms and there is no privacy between known and unfamiliar neighbours.

Mokoena said most punishments did not fit the crimes, hence many of the criminals became repeat offenders. “Tough sentencing is required for the peace and security of citizens to be guaranteed against criminals,” said Mokoena.

“Why not just cut off the body part [penis for rape or hand for theft] used by the criminal to commit a crime, especially in [cases involving] children who, after abuse, are left to grow into adulthood with trauma from rape by perpetrators who continue to live alongside them… [and] torment them after they are released.”

She said the clinic, which counsels many children, women and a few abused males, was worried more about the unreported abuse cases, especially from within families. “This, from fear of bringing shame to the home or the loss of financial and other support from the abusing breadwinner or relative.

“Some of the sexual abuse is perpetrated by fathers on their own children. Other abusers claim to victims that they do so from advice from traditional healers as a means to get rich.”

The victimised children, she said, spend the rest of their lives trapped in the presence of the perpetrators they depend on, and will never grow and live up to their potential.

The half-year statistics of reported child and women abuse cases:

• January

11 rape cases

One attempted rape

One child neglect case

Two sexual assaults.

• February

One statutory rape

Two rapes and kidnapping

Two sexual assaults

One child neglect case.

• March

Nine rapes

Three sexual assaults

Three grievous bodily harm cases

One child neglect case.

• April

Five rapes

One attempted rape and child kidnapping.

• May

Five rapes, one compelled rape [forcing another to rape] and one attempted rape

One child neglect case.

• June

Eight rapes

One sexual assault.

• July

Four rapes and one attempted rape

Two rapes and kidnapping and one sexual assault

Three child neglect cases.

Mokoena urged the abusers and those contemplating to do so to seek help as they suffered from psycho-social problems which could be addressed.