KwaZulu-Natal Police management remains concerned with reported cases of sexual offences involving children. An assessment of the cases under investigation by various Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units in the province indicates that parents and guardians of the victim only become aware of the ease at which children become sexually violated when it’s too late.
It is disturbing to note that these vulnerable children are exposed to such violations by their own parents who allow them to walk unsupervised for long distances to school, send them to local shops unsupervised, leave them under the care of their minor siblings and at times with neighbours whose backgrounds are unknown.
In some of our investigations it was found that children are left unsupervised after school until they are picked up very late by their parents leaving them vulnerable to attacks by sexual predators. In most cases the perpetrators are known to the victim and they prey on the child’s innocence and vulnerability.
The SAPS has adequately trained detectives in these specialised FCS units but precaution and proper care by the parents as well as guardians is key to the prevention of sexual abuse of our children. We have adopted a 365 day child protection standpoint and we will be steering the Child Protection Week vigorously with our policing partners including NGO’s and other government departments to highlight these concerns. Such initiatives will be a futile exercise without parents and guardians committing to reduce opportunities for sexual violations by properly supervising the movements of their children. Parents need to ensure that children are always left under the supervision and care of a responsible adult.
We are committed to effectively investigate crimes against children and satisfied with the good convictions and sentences we are securing against child sexual offenders.
Enquiries:
Captain Thulani Zwane
Tel: 031 325 6083/6084/6085
Fax: 031 325 6087
Cell: 083 539 5726
Email: kzn.mediacentre@saps.gov.za
Lack of parental supervision exposes children to sexual violations
