26 Sep 2017

Child abuse of whatever nature has long lasting effects and may extend far into adulthood, says the director of Botswana Union Conference Health Ministries, Dr Patson Mazonde.

Dr Mazonde, who runs a pediatric clinic, said this during  a child abuse awareness seminar themed: 'End it now, Adventists say no to Violence,' organised  by the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Ghanzi recently.

He said all kinds of abuse including sexual abuse and neglect of children went beyond their childhood. 

Dr Mazonde also noted that physical abuse could damage a child’s growing brain and have psychological implications such as cognitive delays or emotional difficulties. 

He said juvenile and adult criminal activities were common among abused children. 

However, he noted that not all abused children behaved the same way, saying the impact depended on when the abuse started.

He added that early abuse had the worst outcome.

Furthermore, Dr Mazonde stated that the relation between the child and the perpetrator influenced the outcome, noting that if the perpetrator was a parent, the effect became worse than when the perpetrator was a stranger.

The ability to cope and even thrive following a negative experience was another factor that influenced the outcome, said Dr Mazonde.  

“If you want your child to be a smart child, do not abuse him/her. Once you abuse you child, you deny them a potential in life. If my parents had abused me you will not have a pediatrician in me,” he said, adding that children were a heritage from the lord, and that parents were only stewards.

He called for the establishment of parenting clubs in churches to teach good parenting

He also said laws protecting children must not only be put in place but implemented. “Support the abused children, end child abuse and end it now,” said Dr Mazonde. 

He also called for collaboration among stakeholders to overcome abuse, saying it was a social and health burden.  

South Botswana Conference president, Dr Boitirelo Kabo challenged the community to offer help to victims of abuse and urged victims to have hope and seek help.

Dr Kabo also said the church should not condone abuse.

“If you don’t report the abuse, you are perpetrating the abuse the religious way.”  

He urged his listeners to speak out for the vulnerable groups such as people living with disability and the marginalised as well as those oppressed by culture. 

Earlier, Special Constable Lesedi Sepako fom Ghanzi Police Station said rape, sexual harassment and assault were rampant in the region.

For her part, Botswana Union Conference director of women’s ministries, Ms Susan Williams said domestic violence was on the increase inside and outside church.

She said they found it fit take a step against abuse and organise the workshop. “We are saying no to any form of violence,” she said. ENDS