UPDATE: Community assists the family of a child raped at IR Griffith Primary School
BLAIRGOWRIE – The community pulls together to help the family of the child who was raped at IR Griffith primary school after they were reportedly evicted from their rented home.
The parents of an eight-year-old girl who was raped by three boys at IR Griffith Primary school are now renting a temporary home in the Randburg area which they managed to find at short notice, following an eviction from their rented home by the landlord.
According to the family, the landlord became aggressive after the parents reported the incident to the police.
The suspects, three boys aged between 12 and 14, have appeared twice in the Randburg Magistrates’ Court and were released into the custody of their parents. They are expected to appear again in the Roodepoort Magistrates’ Court on 18 July.
READ: Cloud of fear hangs over parents after allegations of sexual assault at a school
A charity drive in Northcliff, organised by Felicia Alberts, came to the family’s rescue during their eviction ordeal and assisted with food, clothing, and toiletries for the child. Money was also donated as well as various other items.
The community visited the family on 18 June to deliver the collected donations.
“The family was excited to meet us and so very grateful to everyone, they could not thank us enough. As they are very religious they asked us to let the donors know that they pray that God blesses everyone,” she said.
Alberts said the family’s main concern had always been about accommodation as the home they were renting was no longer affordable. She said the family had received an offer for accommodation and was waiting to hear if it would work out.
Unfortunately, the mother is also on the verge of losing her job as a part-time domestic worker since her employer will soon be moving to Cape Town.
“It is obvious by the parents’ faces and reactions that they are extremely worried about their child and her healing. They are both very watchful and protective of their little girl,” she said.
Doctor Shaheda Omar from the Teddy Bear Clinic said the school was working within the structures of the Department of Education and was probably following due process, hence the delay in counselling.
“The child has already been seen at our clinic. Our interventions include micro and macro level interventions so we will be working not only with the victim but all other learners, educators and the school governing body,” she said.
She said the process of counselling the teachers has already started.
“We also run child protection skills programmes including crime prevention and making children aware of their rights and responsibilities, acceptable and unacceptable behaviour, furthermore about actions having consequences. In the contexts that we have worked in in the past, it has proven to be effective and has reduced incidents of abuse,” she said.
She further explained that educators will be equipped, empowered to enable them to identify abuse, be familiar with the legislation and be in a position to manage and refer cases appropriately without inducing secondary trauma to the victim.
Members of the public who would like to assist the family are welcome to email Alberts.
ALSO READ: Teddy Bear Clinic is currently not intervening in IR Griffith rape incident
Details: Felicia Alberts; felicia.alberts1@gmail.com
