adminMartha Leboho Masvingo Bureau
Child Helpline International has bemoaned the increasing cases of child abuse in Zimbabwe amid indications that 14 500 children were abused countrywide last year.
The revelation came as the police’s Victim Friendly Unit has urged children to report all cases of abuse irrespective of when the abuse took place.
Speaking during commemorations last week that ran under the theme, “Inclusion and Technology for Children Well-being All Day and Every Day”, Child Helpline International communications and documentation officer Mrs Daphine Jena said they were working round the clock to ensure that all the child abuse cases were investigated.
“In 2017, we received 700 000 calls on reporting cases and of those calls 14 500 were actual cases and we are working tirelessly to make sure every case goes through investigations,” said Mrs Jena.
She said cases of sexual abuse were still rife saying her organisation has a number of initiatives to raise awareness about sexual abuse amongst children.
“We are particularly worried about the number of sexual abuse cases which constitute 26 percent of the 14 500 cases that were reported,” she said.
“About 70 percent of sexual abuse cases involved girls while boys accounted for the remaining 30 percent of the reported cases.”
Mrs Jena said her organisation was committed to creating the right environment for children to freely open up about their abuse.
“We urge children to communicate with us even if one is facing homework difficulties, or if one has a birthday, this helps us in creating a good rapport so that children will be free to report any form of abuse,” she said.
ZRP Masvingo Province Victim Friendly Unit co-ordinator, Inspector Elizabeth Chipfakacha challenged children to report any form of abuse irrespective of when the abuse occurred.
Online Reporter