Break the silence of the lambs

IN the wake of atrocious rapes and sexual assaults on young children, an attempted abduction in Mandlazini of a primary school pupil and predators trawling for young ‘child models’, every responsible adult should be on high alert for warning signs indicating that a child is at risk or has already fallen prey to deviants.

But despite the Zululand Observer consistently covering these horrific events in the interest of public awareness and prevention of similar incidents, too many parents, teachers and caregivers choose to ignore serious signs of neglect, molestation and sexual abuse happening right under their noses.

They do not want to ‘get involved’, ‘they just can’t be sure’, or ‘you don’t go around accusing people’.

These excuses, in essence boil down to unwillingness to stand up for the defenceless and to protect the innocent, because it may come at a personal cost.

How does it happen that a nine-year-old child is repeatedly raped on his way to school, but nobody notices that something is seriously wrong?

What unimaginable horror and fear did that child endure every day of his little life?

It is a fact that children are silenced by shame, fear, humiliation and trauma.

It is also a fact that families and parents protect perpetrators because they do not want a stigma attached to them, or because they fear losing a breadwinner.

But that bread is drenched with innocent blood.

Many mothers look away when incest is happening under their own roof or allow children to spend unsupervised time with adult babysitters who are always conveniently around to take the child from their hands.

This is nothing less than child sacrifice.

That is why adults should take all measures possible to ensure that children within their circle of influence are closely monitored.

It is about community care, building trust and relationships and creating a safe haven where a troubled child can speak from the heart.

If you have a nagging suspicion that something is wrong, do the right thing and report the matter to a spiritual counsellor, a school principal, the welfare, the church or anybody you trust to help formalise a safety plan and a course of action.

Don’t keep silent until it is too late to ever repair the physical, emotional and spiritual wounds.

The muffled screams of that child is on your conscience.