4000 cases of child abuse reported

MORE than 4 000 cases of child abuse cases have been recorded throughout the country in the past nine months, with 60 percent of the victims being girls.

According to Childline Zimbabwe, a total of 2 400 girls and 1 600 boys below the age of 12 reported cases of abuse.

Childline has a 116 child help lines in the country where minor victims phone to report cases of abuse. About 75 percent of the reported cases on girls are of a sexual nature.

In an interview yesterday, Childline public relations officer Ms Patience Chiyangwa said the statistics were just a tip of an iceberg as there were other organisations recording their own cases.

"Although we have recorded a large number of child abuse cases, there are other cases that go unreported. We need communities to stand up and address cases of child abuse. Other cases are recorded by sister organisations and a clear picture would be obtained once concrete statistics are compiled.

"We say 'Break the silence' encouraging communities to speak out on occurrences of child abuse. The public needs to work with us in reporting cases of child abuse and to encourage children to do so. Communities where possible must open dialogue and discussions around protection and the safety of our children," she said.

Ms Chiyangwa said awareness campaigns should start at family level.

"Awareness should start at family level because this is where child abuse is taking place.

As the saying goes, "charity begins at home" communities ought to create child friendly homes for the sake of keeping our children safe from abuse.

"Child friendly homes will encourage our children to report cases of child abuse rather than suffering in silence. As a result it will create a child friendly nation upholding the protection of our children," said Ms Chiyangwa.

She said most cases of abuse were perpetrated by a relative or known person.

"In most cases children are abused by someone they know. It could be a relative, neighbour, family friend, aunt or uncle. We therefore encourage families to create an environment that will encourage children to report cases of abuse," she said.

Ms Chiyangwa said the statistics reveal how the girl child is more vulnerable to sexual abuse. 60 percent of the calls received on our. She said there was a need for immediate attention on all forms of abuse which include physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.

"The girl child needs to be encouraged to report cases of abuse. More awareness campaigns have to be conducted especially engaging men and boys who are the perpetrators of this abuse," said Ms Chiyangwa.

She said fewer cases of abuse of the boy child does not mean they were less vulnerable.

"Our society could be an immediate effect for this trend. Boys are traditionally brought up not to portray weakness.

The "big boys don't cry" syndrome mean they would not easily speak out especially on abuse as they believe this affects their ego.

"On the contrary girls will open up more easily although both boys and girls might be compromised to speak due to adverse effects of abuse. Some people would then call Childline on their behalf," she said.

Ms Chiyangwa said the public is now aware of the fact that cases of sexual abuse must be reported.

"We still need to intensify awareness campaigns to encourage communities to report cases of child abuse and victims are now informed about it through Childline," she said.