Africa-Press – Botswana. Statistics show that cases of rape and defilement were currently at 188 in the North East District.
Speaking at a workshop on men against defilement recently, North East District Council social worker, Ms Moitshephi Dibotlhale advised on resuscitation of the child protection committees in rural areas as issues relating to child welfare were unbearable in the district.
Ms Dibotlhale said in addition to defilement cases, cases of negligence and those of children in need of care and protection prevailed.
Tshesebe Police station commander, Superintendent Mothusi Phadi emphasised the important protecting children from sexual abuse. Supt Phadi said the workshop aimed to engage men in the fight against defilement and sexual abuse of minors.
He further said the workshop focused on raising awareness, educating participants about legal, psychological, social impacts of defilement and empowering men to take proactive steps in preventing and addressing the issue of defilement.
Supt Phadi said one of the objectives of the workshop was to educate participants on the nature, causes and consequences of defilement.
“It is also to raise awareness about the legal implications, penalties associated with defilement and promote a culture of protection coupled with respect for minors,” he said.
The other objective, he said, was to provide tools and strategies for recognising, preventing, responding to defilement and foster a supportive community of men committed to ending defilement.
“Introspect as men, as to how you might have handled your niece in an uncompromising way or what you said to them and how they responded,” he said, adding that they should look at what their conscience said to them.
Ms Sesafeleng Dijeng from Directorate of Public Prosecution said parents were mostly required when it came to giving evidence of what they had seen happening, what happened or what they have heard. This, she said, would assist the magistrate or anyone making a decision on the case to give a proper judgement.
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