Parents must fight rape

BARBERTON – Children are still falling victims to rape and sexual harassment in our communities. It’s alleged that the perpetrators are taking advantage because in most cases victims are not bold enough to speak out when they are abused.
Local police, in conjunction with the Greater Rape Intervention Programme (GRIP), has embarked on a rape awareness campaign.

They are visiting different township schools. Spokesperson for the police,
Const Tutu Nkosi said they decided to get up close and personal with learners because sexual abuse among children was a serious problem.
“We had lot of rape cases in our area. In most cases, children were the victims.

We can’t turn a blind eye to this matter. It’s very painful that most of the victims are abused at home by their loved ones and they are afraid to speak out. We are not going to win this battle alone. We also need parents to work with us,” she said.
So far about 170 pupils have taken part in the campaign. Tutu concluded by warning young people not to hook up with strangers they have met on social media, since these days criminals are using social media as a tool to carry out their deeds, including targeting their prey.

Last week an 18-year-old woman was kidnapped by an unknown man after he had promised her a job and she ended up in KwaZulu-Natal.
They were warned not to talk to strangers and to avoid walking alone at night. Parents were also urged not leave their children alone at home.