Child rape continues to plague Namibia despite awareness campaigns
Child rape cases reported on daily basis
The gender ministry has urged Namibian communities to collaborate with government to end child rape and gender-based violence.
Rape continues to be a serious concern across the country, with cases of child rape being reported on a daily basis despite the gender ministry spearheading various awareness campaigns to end violence against children.
The police confirmed that over the weekend, five minor girls reported being raped.
In a recent interview, the ministry said they are aware of the prevalence of child rape.
In an effort to address the problem, the ministry said it works in collaboration with various government offices, non-governmental and faith-based institutions to raise awareness and educate communities and children about rape and how to access help.
The ministry's acting executive director, Martha Mbombo, said in each of the 14 regions, the ministry has gender community liaison officers and social workers who work with children to raise awareness about laws such as the Combating of Rape Act, Combating of Domestic Violence Act, Maintenance Act, and other policies.
Broken trust
In response to increasing cases of child rape being reported, the Omusati police held community meetings last week to educate parents rape and what to do when incidents happen.
On average, the Omusati police said they record at least five cases of child rape each month in the region.
Police inspector Anna Kunga told Namibian Sun that these numbers are alarming. She said police in the region are working closely with the public to educate parents on the importance of not leaving their children unattended at home.
Kunga said a major concern is that most of the rapes are committed by relatives and those deemed "trusted friends and close family members."
"Rape numbers are too high. The children suffer too much," Kunga stressed. Her concerns reflect those of the police in the Ohangwena, Oshikoto, and Oshana regions.
Brutal record
The latest cases reported to police include that of a 30-year-old Angolan male accused of allegedly raping a seven-year-old girl last Thursday in the Okambogo village-Onyaanya area. The suspect has been arrested.
In Onesi, the police are yet to arrest a man accused of raping a 10-year-old girl at Omalyadhila village, also on Thursday.
In Ongwediva, a 15-year-old girl was reportedly raped at the Omatando location of Ongwediva by a known suspect.
At Epembe, a 14-year-old girl was reportedly raped by a known suspect at Oshiweda village.
It is alleged that the suspect raped the victim on four different occasions and at different places. The last incident took place after the victim returned from school last week.
In Rundu, an 11-year-old girl was allegedly raped by her 26-year-old cousin at Ncuse village, Kavango East Region.
Working to find solutions
Mbombo said the ministry has developed standards and operating procedures in collaboration with the safety and security ministry, as well as key stakeholders such as the health and social services ministry and the office of the judiciary, to improve victim response services.
"It has also established systems, including an integrated case management system and a referral and reporting network, for reporting and managing cases of child abuse. Under the Child Care and Protection Act, there are certain people who are mandated to report cases of child abuse, and the ministry has seen an increase in the number of cases being reported," she said.
The ministry also actively collaborates with civil society organisations such as Lifeline/ChildLine to provide psychosocial support to victims and potential victims of child abuse, she said.
Mbombo said the ministry requires the community to step up and work with government and other stakeholders to prevent rape and gender-based violence and to report cases that occur to relevant authorities.
The police confirmed that over the weekend, five minor girls reported being raped.
In a recent interview, the ministry said they are aware of the prevalence of child rape.
In an effort to address the problem, the ministry said it works in collaboration with various government offices, non-governmental and faith-based institutions to raise awareness and educate communities and children about rape and how to access help.
The ministry's acting executive director, Martha Mbombo, said in each of the 14 regions, the ministry has gender community liaison officers and social workers who work with children to raise awareness about laws such as the Combating of Rape Act, Combating of Domestic Violence Act, Maintenance Act, and other policies.
Broken trust
In response to increasing cases of child rape being reported, the Omusati police held community meetings last week to educate parents rape and what to do when incidents happen.
On average, the Omusati police said they record at least five cases of child rape each month in the region.
Police inspector Anna Kunga told Namibian Sun that these numbers are alarming. She said police in the region are working closely with the public to educate parents on the importance of not leaving their children unattended at home.
Kunga said a major concern is that most of the rapes are committed by relatives and those deemed "trusted friends and close family members."
"Rape numbers are too high. The children suffer too much," Kunga stressed. Her concerns reflect those of the police in the Ohangwena, Oshikoto, and Oshana regions.
Brutal record
The latest cases reported to police include that of a 30-year-old Angolan male accused of allegedly raping a seven-year-old girl last Thursday in the Okambogo village-Onyaanya area. The suspect has been arrested.
In Onesi, the police are yet to arrest a man accused of raping a 10-year-old girl at Omalyadhila village, also on Thursday.
In Ongwediva, a 15-year-old girl was reportedly raped at the Omatando location of Ongwediva by a known suspect.
At Epembe, a 14-year-old girl was reportedly raped by a known suspect at Oshiweda village.
It is alleged that the suspect raped the victim on four different occasions and at different places. The last incident took place after the victim returned from school last week.
In Rundu, an 11-year-old girl was allegedly raped by her 26-year-old cousin at Ncuse village, Kavango East Region.
Working to find solutions
Mbombo said the ministry has developed standards and operating procedures in collaboration with the safety and security ministry, as well as key stakeholders such as the health and social services ministry and the office of the judiciary, to improve victim response services.
"It has also established systems, including an integrated case management system and a referral and reporting network, for reporting and managing cases of child abuse. Under the Child Care and Protection Act, there are certain people who are mandated to report cases of child abuse, and the ministry has seen an increase in the number of cases being reported," she said.
The ministry also actively collaborates with civil society organisations such as Lifeline/ChildLine to provide psychosocial support to victims and potential victims of child abuse, she said.
Mbombo said the ministry requires the community to step up and work with government and other stakeholders to prevent rape and gender-based violence and to report cases that occur to relevant authorities.
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