More needs to be done to fight children sexual abuse
YAKOBE CHIWAMBO
Unlike other types of abuses like physical or psychological torment,
child sexual abuse in most cases happens secretly. This makes it
difficult for culprits to be made answerable.
In the first place, it is difficult to find data about children sexual abuse.
Children exposed to being abused sexually, find it difficult to reveal
for fear of being laughed at, segregated and even being removed from
home if the person abusing her is a parent or guardian or other close
relative – the person providing to the inferior. In fact, the
situation is worse when it comes to adults who abuse innocent
children, who look upon them for protection and support, so it
deserves condemnation.
Any normal human being cannot boast around for having abused sexually
a child who could be one’s daughter. This is because it is a shameful
act, unbecoming behavior and at the same time opening one to criminal
prosecution. Therefore, this makes culprits as well as abused children
keep such information a secret for own welfare.
This brings up a challenge for those conducting surveys on sexual
abuse of children to devise a way of obtaining such information so
that one can get a more precise estimate of the intensity of the
problem in the country.
Tukae Njiku, the director for Children Development in the Ministry of
Community Development, Gender and Children, said in an interview that
some cases are not taken to court or police since much abuse happens
in secret.
“It is the responsibility of everyone to ensure that children are
protected. How can a culprit be taken to the police or to court if the
malice happens secretly and nobody reveals it? Let us all join hands
in protecting children and reveal those who abuse them in any way,”
she said.
It is evidently true from surveys that adults are the principal source
of sexual abuse of children on account of societal endorsement of
violence, first against children and then against women “under certain
circumstances.”
These patterns reflect cultural norms that influence relationships
between men and women as well as exposure of female children to sexual
violence. This violence is tied to the fact that children are almost
automatically HIV/Aids free.
A recent report noted that 26 per cent of young girls aged 13 to 17
had experienced at least two sexual abuse instances while boys were
less exposed to violence and sexual abuse, the figure for boys being
put at 20.1 per cent.
Despite that such data are available, it is difficult to specify which
groups of children (street/orphans/children living with their
parents/pupils or some other groups) are routinely exposed to abuse,
as the matter is sensitive.
Adults who abuse children sexually are often HIV/Aids positive, which
directly implies that children become infected by the same proportion
as they are abused by infected adults.
Activists say this is a serious situation if no quick measures are
taken, as the future of any country relies on its children.
However, the survey reveals that most common forms of violence against
children are sexual – 16 per cent for girls and 8.7 per cent for boys,
followed by attempted sexual intercourse at 14.6 per cent for girls
and 6.3 per cent for boys. “These figures are too high and show high
probability for abused children contracting HIV/Aids,” she said.
Njiku was categorical that there is an increase of violence against
children, which needs that the Police initiate strategies of providing
education in schools, using community policing for educating
communities on the types of violence and encouraging love and
protection of children.
The Government in collaboration with stakeholders working for and with
children has developed a National Plan of Action for combating
commercial sexual exploitation of children.
The plan provides safeguards against child abuse, including
sexual assault or exploitation.