Child rape - Namibia’s shame
Rape scars a child for life, says ChildLine Namibia’s gender programme manager.
ELLANIE SMIT
WINDHOEK
The escalating number of child rape cases over the past year is an evil that is destroying the lives of Namibian children.
This was said by ChildLine Namibia gender programme manager Elize Prins, who urged Namibians to help the government to put an end to child rape.
“The rape of minors is not just the responsibility of government, but all of us. It is important for Namibians not only to see and read about rapes of minors, but act to stop it.”
According to Prins, the disturbing increase in child rape can also be attributed to the fact that cases were previously under-reported and the nation has become more aware of the legal steps to take.
Far-reaching
She explains that the impact rape can have on a child is immense.
“Rape can affect a child emotionally, cause anxiety, fear, changes in social behaviour, while it can also cause physical scars. It is something that the child will have to live with for the rest of his or her life.”
She says in the family set-up the rape of child can lead to separation and divorce, and it can also have a financial impact if the breadwinner was responsible. In the community, it can cause conflict if people do not agree on how to deal with the situation.
Support
She stresses that when a child is raped it is very important for a parent or guardian to stay with them every step of the way and to foster trust.
“It is difficult for the child and unknown territory, therefore you as a parent need to be present.”
According to Prins, both environmental and psychological factors can play a role in a person raping a child.
“Men when they rape act out power, aggression and control. They are taught as children to solve a problem by controlling the situation, by being the man.”
Elaborating on family members who rape children, Prins said a parent would never knowingly leave their child with a relative likely to rape the child.
Warning signs
There are warning signs to look for, such as when children become secretive, isolated, shy away from a certain person, extreme behavioural changes such as constant crying, poor discipline and mood swings.
There can also be physical signs such as imitating sexual acts, touching others inappropriately or acting out sex with toys or dolls.
Prins stresses that parents should know that disclosure is a process and should not force a child to spill everything at once.
Prins also elaborated on children raping children.
“Children are the examples of our examples. They copy what they see us doing, or in the media, or online. Peer pressure can also play a role, when children dare one another to do something like that.”
She says parents therefore need to be more involved in their children’s lives.
She further stresses that parents should make sure their children know about all service providers they can go to, such as the police, LifeLine / ChildLine helplines, social workers, religious leaders and life skills teachers.
A total of 2 818 rape cases were recorded in the country between January 2018 and September 2020.
Of these cases, 2 357 involved women and children as complainants.
WINDHOEK
The escalating number of child rape cases over the past year is an evil that is destroying the lives of Namibian children.
This was said by ChildLine Namibia gender programme manager Elize Prins, who urged Namibians to help the government to put an end to child rape.
“The rape of minors is not just the responsibility of government, but all of us. It is important for Namibians not only to see and read about rapes of minors, but act to stop it.”
According to Prins, the disturbing increase in child rape can also be attributed to the fact that cases were previously under-reported and the nation has become more aware of the legal steps to take.
Far-reaching
She explains that the impact rape can have on a child is immense.
“Rape can affect a child emotionally, cause anxiety, fear, changes in social behaviour, while it can also cause physical scars. It is something that the child will have to live with for the rest of his or her life.”
She says in the family set-up the rape of child can lead to separation and divorce, and it can also have a financial impact if the breadwinner was responsible. In the community, it can cause conflict if people do not agree on how to deal with the situation.
Support
She stresses that when a child is raped it is very important for a parent or guardian to stay with them every step of the way and to foster trust.
“It is difficult for the child and unknown territory, therefore you as a parent need to be present.”
According to Prins, both environmental and psychological factors can play a role in a person raping a child.
“Men when they rape act out power, aggression and control. They are taught as children to solve a problem by controlling the situation, by being the man.”
Elaborating on family members who rape children, Prins said a parent would never knowingly leave their child with a relative likely to rape the child.
Warning signs
There are warning signs to look for, such as when children become secretive, isolated, shy away from a certain person, extreme behavioural changes such as constant crying, poor discipline and mood swings.
There can also be physical signs such as imitating sexual acts, touching others inappropriately or acting out sex with toys or dolls.
Prins stresses that parents should know that disclosure is a process and should not force a child to spill everything at once.
Prins also elaborated on children raping children.
“Children are the examples of our examples. They copy what they see us doing, or in the media, or online. Peer pressure can also play a role, when children dare one another to do something like that.”
She says parents therefore need to be more involved in their children’s lives.
She further stresses that parents should make sure their children know about all service providers they can go to, such as the police, LifeLine / ChildLine helplines, social workers, religious leaders and life skills teachers.
A total of 2 818 rape cases were recorded in the country between January 2018 and September 2020.
Of these cases, 2 357 involved women and children as complainants.
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