News / Local
'Don't negotiate with sex offenders'
31 Jul 2014 at 06:54hrs | Views
BULAWAYO police have warned the public against negotiating with perpetrators of sexual violence for compensation saying all offences must be reported to law enforcement agents as soon as they are committed.
Speaking at the launch of the Anti-Sexual Violence Campaign at TM Hyper yesterday, the officer commanding Bulawayo central district, Chief Superintendent Fungai Dengu, said police were concerned that some parents wasted time talking to sexual offenders, especially those who were family members or friends.
"We have a challenge of parents and family members negotiating with perpetrators which leads to late reports of the offence," she said.
Chief Supt Dengu said rapists belong in prison and warned members of the public against concealing such offences.
"Every woman and child is a potential victim of sexual violence including myself. We should work together to reduce sexual violence," she said.
Addressing the same gathering, an official from Contact Counselling, Nomathemba Chiutsi, said anyone can be a victim, whether male or female.
She encouraged victims of sexual violence to visit them or any other organisation offering counselling for help. "Anyone can be an abuser – relatives, church leaders, maids, gardeners and police officers. If one is abused he or she must report to the police or visit us so that we can counsel them and advise on the procedures to expect after reporting the matter," said Chiutsi.
Chief Supt Dengu said Bulawayo central district recorded a decline in cases of sexual violence from 41 cases in 2012 to 27 last year.
Speaking at the launch of the Anti-Sexual Violence Campaign at TM Hyper yesterday, the officer commanding Bulawayo central district, Chief Superintendent Fungai Dengu, said police were concerned that some parents wasted time talking to sexual offenders, especially those who were family members or friends.
"We have a challenge of parents and family members negotiating with perpetrators which leads to late reports of the offence," she said.
Chief Supt Dengu said rapists belong in prison and warned members of the public against concealing such offences.
"Every woman and child is a potential victim of sexual violence including myself. We should work together to reduce sexual violence," she said.
Addressing the same gathering, an official from Contact Counselling, Nomathemba Chiutsi, said anyone can be a victim, whether male or female.
She encouraged victims of sexual violence to visit them or any other organisation offering counselling for help. "Anyone can be an abuser – relatives, church leaders, maids, gardeners and police officers. If one is abused he or she must report to the police or visit us so that we can counsel them and advise on the procedures to expect after reporting the matter," said Chiutsi.
Chief Supt Dengu said Bulawayo central district recorded a decline in cases of sexual violence from 41 cases in 2012 to 27 last year.
Source - chronicle
