over 170 men rape daughters in a year

22 Jun, 2014 - 03:06 0 Views

The Sunday Mail

Alois Vinga
A TOTAL of 175 men are said to have raped their daughters last year, according to statistics showing that close family members, relatives and neighbours are among chief perpetrators of sexual abuse. Figures obtained from the Women’s Affairs, Gender and Community Development Ministry show that at least 5 000 children are abused yearly. Already, between January and April this year, 1 354 cases were reported with 946 girls accounting for all victims.

It emerged that the rapists comprised uncles (338), fathers/step-fathers (175), cousins (131), lovers (101), neighbours (72), step-brothers (59), college colleagues and room-mates (48), traditional healers (45), and brothers-in-law (41).

Domestic workers accounted for 60 of cases while in 1 060 reported instances, strangers were the accused.
Ms Sibilile Mpofu, national co-ordinator of the National Aids Council’s orphaned and vulnerable children’s programme, said the huge presence of relatives on the list of perpetrators showed abuse of trust.

“Those who were traditionally the gatekeepers of our culture like relatives and neighbours are now at the forefront of abusing children,” she said.

Ms Patience Chiyangwa of Childline, a non-governmental organisation focused on children’s issues, said homes were no longer safe places for many.

“Gender-based violence is a key contributor to child abuse with abuse happening in the home, a place where children are meant to be safe. And in most cases, this is being done by a person known to the child, further complicating the situation.”

Zimbabwe National Traditional Healers’ Association acting president Mr George Kandiero dissociated the organisation from practices that harm women and children. In the past, traditional healers have been linked to such abuse.

“We distance ourselves from anti-traditional practices of prescribing harmful remedies that involve children in abusive acts. We also urge the public to report any acts of that sort to our association for punitive measures to be effected.

“There is, however, need for relevant stakeholders to partner us in campaigns to eradicate child abuse as this will give us the opportunity to send a clear message. In terms of solutions, four key areas of intervention, including prevention, service provision, research and monitoring as well as evaluation through co-ordination are being implemented to curb vices such as child abuse.”

Responding to accusations that the judiciary is lenient on offenders, Prosecutor-General Mr Johannes Tomana said the authorities were seriously concerned about child abuse.

“However, the determination of sentences is largely dependent on the nature of evidence presented. There is a need for parents and guardians to deal with direct causes. For instance, (they should be) protecting their children from abuse perpetrators, since the law does not entirely eradicate abuse but is simply a reactive mechanism.”

The abuse of women and girls has been a highly emotive matter both in and outside Zimbabwe due to the emotional, psychological and physical scars inflicted on victims.

Last week, First Lady Amai Grace Mugabe spoke strongly against rape and advocated harsher penalties.
She cited the case of a five-year-old girl who had to have her uterus removed after being abused by an uncle.

On Thursday, Vice-President Joice Mujuru launched the National Action Plan Against Rape and Sexual Abuse, which is part of a strategy adopted by the inter-ministerial committee established early this year to tackle rape.

Describing rape as “horrendous and sheer madness”, the VP said: “Statistics from the ZRP indicate that from 2012 to the first quarter of 2014, a total number of 3 571 adult women and 7 411 female juveniles were raped. These trends are unacceptable; it is unheard of.”

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