No mercy for rural child abuse victims
Rural teachers say child abuse is not reported because of a total lack of support services and infrastructure in the Mfolozi Municipality
THE Mfolozi Municipality, with an estimated population of 122 900 people in deep rural Zululand, has no accredited place of safety for children.
The nearest police station and Tutuzela Care Centre where child abuse can be reported and where victims can receive emergency medical treatment, are so far from direct transport routes, that it is virtually out of reach.
This is according to more than 20 rural crèche principals who attended a human trafficking presentation at Amangwe Village’s monthly toy library last Thursday.
The teachers are from areas such as Bhubhubhu, Sabhuza, Eyidonini, Zonza, Mgazini, Epuyeni and Shwashweni, where vulnerable child-headed, single parent and unemployed parent households are the norm.
The workshop, presented by Zululand Observer journalist Rachelle Breed, a member of the KZN Human Trafficking, Harmful Traditional Practices, Pornography, Prostitution and Brothels Task Team, was aimed at educating key role players to identify possible cases of human trafficking and to spread awareness among the rural communities.
But a discussion revealed that even if teachers suspect abuse, victims are often left at their own mercy because of a total lack of support services.
Even in the unlikely event of social workers or police intervening, there is nowhere to go with victims if they have been removed from their homes, with the Ngwelezane Place of Safety as the only available option.
Amangwe Village Manager Erna Steynberg says teachers face so many insurmountable obstacles in reporting cases, that it is just not done.
‘According to legislation, a child may not be removed without the parent’s consent, or in absence thereof, by a police officer or a social worker.
‘A teacher is thus not permitted to transport a child who has been raped to a clinic without informing the parent.
Read the full story in the ZO Weekender edition.
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