24 Aug 2016

Panelists at #IShallNotForget panel discussion have unanimously agreed that the country should formulate laws which will effectively guard against sexual abuse and exploitation of children.  

Speaking on various topics affecting the welfare of children under the theme  A safe Botswana For our Children Reconciling Laws, Structures and Practices held at Botho University on August 22, they said it was disturbing that the country continued to register cases of sexual exploitation of minors by both known and unknown assailants.

Panelists noted with concern that though there were some laws including Children's Act protecting minors from sexual abuse by older people, it seemed these legislative pieces were not effective enough and as such said all concerned stakeholders should go to the drawing boards to close the gaps. 

One of the panelists, Minister of Education and Skills Development Dr Unity Dow said some Batswana hid behind culture in order for them to molest children. She said this should not be allowed to take place as culture was something that was designed and adopted by people in the society. 

On the other hand she said it was disheartening that some parents tended to blame young girls who were sexually abused by older men, suggesting that they just threw themselves to these older men. She however said there should be clear reporting systems and structures for such cases at both the school and family levels. 

Dr Dow who was presenting on the topic The 27 Silences, further urged families and school authorities to ensure a safe and secure living environment for children at all times. =Presenting on the topic: Setswana Culture and The Issue Of Sexual Abuse of Children, a renowned retired kgosi Margaret Mosojane saluted the #IShallNotForget movement for doing “a sterling job” on raising issues pertaining to the welfare of children in a changing society. She said the move would shape the direction of the country as it entered yet another 50 years.

Kgosi Mosojane however regretted that there was a lot of secrecy and denial on sexual abuse of children in the traditional set up as families wanted to protect their names and reputation. Sadly, she said, the society tended to sympathies with perpetrators, forgetting the victim.    

She said the country was going through transformation and sexual offences were on the rise noting that through her career as a kgosi which spanned well over 20 years, she adjudicated over issues of sexual abuse of youngsters. She therefore said the country should strive for moral and tolerant nation as espoused in the national vision.

Another speaker, Miss Lisa Jamu who is the founder and executive director of Steeping Stones International said they were happy that   government through the ministry of local government and rural development was working on the 10 point issues which they submitted regarding the welfare of children in relation to sexual abuse.

On the other hand Dr Didimalang Biorn, who is a clinical psychologist, talked of how she was sexually abused by her cousin. She said accepting and forgiving the perpetrator helped her to heal. 

A Gaborone- based criminal lawyer Mr Kgosietsile Ngakaagae in the meantime said the country should come up with four areas which should be used to address the escalating sexual abuse. These, he said, should include preventive, punitive, protective and treatment.

Attorney Ngakaagae said the country’s laws should be designed in such a way that they detered would be offenders, noting that it was high time paedophiles’ names were published just like convicted drunkards to make sure that people took precautionary measures if such people became their neighbours.

He also said the courtroom atmosphere was not properly designed for child sex victims unlike in South Africa.     

The #IShallNotForget campaign movement is a group that represents the interests of Batswana in the fight against sexual abuse of children. Ends