SCSA horrified by the rape of a two-year-old at a hospital
Save the Children South Africa (SCSA) is horrified by the reports of the rape of a two-year-old child at the George Mukhari Hospital, in Pretoria. The mother of the child left her at the hospital after she was reportedly told that the child needed to be isolated as it was suspected she had COVID-19.
“A child is raped at a place where parents hoped she was to be kept safe from COVID-19, only to be abused. Homes on the other hand have become warzones with children locked in with abusers and with very little support from the service providers. NGOs providing crucial support to families and children are closing down due to lack of funding,” says SCSA’s Child Protection Programme Manager, Duduzile Skhosana.
The South African Police Service (SAPS) must conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that the perpetrator is behind bars.
“Violence against children should never be tolerated and if we fail to send such people to jail we are sending the wrong message. It means we are telling child abusers and would-be child abusers that they can continue with what they are doing. We cannot continue on this path! Child protection is everyone’s business and we must play our part as society in protecting our children,” adds Skhosana.
Official statistics suggest that more than 110 rapes are reported to the SAPS per day. Children make up 46.5% of all reported sexual assault cases in South Africa.
ENDS
For more information or to set up interviews contact: Sibusiso Khasa on 073 449 6871 or [email protected]
About: Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In South Africa and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.
Note to the Editor: If children are affected, we’ve got something to say. Our team of experts are available for comments, interviews and information.