07 Dec 2023

Cases of defilement are said to increase during school holidays.

Giving an overview and statistics on Gender Based Violence (GBV) during the commemoration of 16 Days of Activism against GBV in Francistown on Wednesday, Sgt Lone

Ramosarwe of the Botswana Police Service said this is because during school holidays, children are more likely to be unsupervised.
Sgt Ramosarwe said this creates opportunities for sexual predators to target the children, as they may be spending more time alone or in unsafe environments, including at drinking places.

“The combination of increased risk factors and decreased supervision can lead to a rise in defilement cases during school holidays,” she added.

She said from January to November this year, police stations in the northern division recorded a total of 12 murder cases, five attempted murder cases involving two children, 236 rape cases of which 117 involved children, 17 attempted rape cases that involved four (4) children and 200 defilement cases.

Sgt Ramosarwe, who is based at the Francistown Child Friendly Centre and Protection Branch of the Botswana Police Service, issued a strong warning to perpetrators of GBV and sexual assault, vowing that they would be caught and brought to justice.

She emphasised the importance of reporting all instances of abuse, no matter how seemingly insignificant, and stressed that perpetrators will not be allowed to escape the law.

She encouraged victims to seek help and support, and reminded the public that everyone had a role to play in creating a safe and secure society for all.

“The message is clear, violence will not be tolerated, and those who engage in it will face the consequences of their actions,” she vowed.

Speaking at the same event, Francistown’s Deputy Mayor, Mr Lesego Kwambala, called for a return to upholding of moral values and social norms for Botswana to effectively address the scourge of GBV.

Mr Kwambala stated that the root causes of violence are deeply ingrained in society, and "we must work to change our attitudes and behaviours if we are to create a more just and peaceful world".

He said everyone should take responsibility for their own actions and choices, and make the necessary changes within themselves to create a better and safer society for all.

Mr Kwambala urged men to take an active role in the fight against GBV by using their influence and platforms to speak out against violence and abuse, and to educate others about the issue.

He emphasised the importance of role models for young men, and the need for men to set a positive example for the next generation.

Mr Kwambala also highlighted the role of men in supporting victims of violence and in working to end the cycle of abuse.

He highlighted the problem of sexual harassment in the workplace, emphasising that this issue was especially prevalent in environments where there was a high concentration of men.

He pointed to statistics that show a clear correlation between the number of men in a workplace and the incidence of sexual harassment.

He therefore called for a zero tolerance policy for sexual harassment, and urged men to speak out against such behaviour and to hold each other accountable.

He also emphasised the need for more women to be in leadership positions to help balance the gender dynamic. ends