…..As Parents and guardians turn into vultures
20 000 cases reported Nation wide in 2023
Zimbabwe Grapples with Alarming Rise in Child Abuse Cases
By Kwedu News
Zimbabwe – A disturbing trend of child abuse has emerged in Zimbabwe, with nearly 20,000 cases reported nationwide in the past year, Kwedu has learnt.
The National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ) notes that a significant increase in child rape cases has led to an average of at least 30 cases being reported daily.
Prosecutor-General, Justice Loyce Matanda-Moyo, attributes the surge to ritualistic practices, citing cases of fathers raping their biological daughters for financial gain.
Some victims have shared their horrific experiences, as the case with a 12-year-old girl from Beitbridge, Matabeleland South, who shared her horrific experience of being sexually abused by her uncle, facilitated by her own mother, in one of Zimbabwe’s local national newspapers.
Both perpetrators have since been arrested according to NPA.
In another incident in Mvuma, Midlands Province, a man fatally assaulted his one-year-old daughter after sexually abusing her.
Experts say survivors of child abuse often carry deep emotional scars, struggling with trust, self-worth, and trauma.
Child psychologists say this has impact on emotional development, leading to anxiety, depression, and mental health issues.
Government, in attempts to avert the problem, has implemented policies and aligned some with international conventions, such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
President Emmerson Mnangagwa recently signed the Criminal Laws Amendment Bill, raising the age of consent from 16 to 18.
Reports say Childline Zimbabwe received 20,000 distress calls from minors, with 15% involving sexual abuse and early marriages.
Child rights lawyers and advocates have stressed the need for multi-faceted approaches, including awareness campaigns, counseling, and prosecution.
They say it is important to address economic frustration and promote community involvement in preventing such child abuses.
