adminMangaliso Kabulika
THE National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has issued a warning to parents and guardians about the rise in sexual assault cases involving parties close or known to each other.
The NPA said some sexual predators may exploit the vulnerabilities of children, mentally impaired individuals and others living with disabilities.
Furthermore, the NPA said it was disturbing that some families do not report rape cases involving juveniles and family members to the police and choose to resolve these cases at the family or community levels.
It urged the public to report all sexual offences to the police, especially those involving juveniles, mentally challenged persons, or other vulnerable groups of people living with disabilities.
“This is particularly painful in the case of juveniles and mentally challenged people who are raped by family members such as their fathers, stepfathers, grandfathers, brothers and uncles as these are the people that they trust and look up to for protection.
“We would like to urge the public to report all sexual offences to the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
“Where members of the public are unable to report to the police, they can report to Childline on toll-free line 116 or report to a social worker or school authorities,” said NPA in a statement.
Bongani Ndlovu
Mathew Masinge