adminGender Reporter
POLICE in Matabeleland North have embarked on a month-long campaign to conscientise the community on how to protect women and children from sexual violence.
The campaign, which began on March 26, would be running up to April 28. Matabeleland North spokesperson, Assistant Inspector, Eglon Nkala said though there was a drop in the number of sexual violence cases in the province this year compared to the same period last year, more still needed to be done.
Asst Insp Nkala said there was a 5.4 percent drop in cases with 105 cases recorded between January and March this year, compared to 111 last year.
He said they would not be blinded by these figures, as more still needs to be done to curb the problem.
“A five percent decrease is not enough,” he said.
Asst Insp Nkala said they have realised that the culture of silence within families in most rural Matabeleland North has left some perpetrators going free.
He said most people in remote areas in the province do not have access to information on issues of sexual violence and children’s rights, a wrong they want to right.
The awareness campaign will see the police travelling to remote areas in the province like Siabuwa, in Binga, Mugodhi, Masili and Dlamini in Tsholotsho.
“Families tend to internalise the problems in fear of losing a breadwinner or being punished by the perpetrator. Women are not keen on reporting shameful acts done by their husbands in fear of damaging their relationship. They view their silence as a way of keeping the family intact,” he said.
It is against this background that during their campaign police will teach communities that sexual violence was unacceptable even if it was done by a loved one and should not go unpunished.
The police would also be “encouraging parents to report cases of sexual violence to the police without delay, whether it was done by father, mother, uncle, grandfather, domestic worker or whoever. At every police station, there is a Victim Friendly Unit that deals with all cases of sexual violence.”
He said they will also be urging parents not to leave their children in the custody of male relatives.
Asst Insp Nkala said parents should escort their children to and from school, while encouraging women to avoid using foot paths, as this puts them at risk of being raped.
Online Reporter