Save the Children calls on the SAPS to do a thorough investigation in the Dros Rape Case
Tuesday 2 October 2018
Save the Children South Africa (SCSA) calls on the South African Police Services to conduct a thorough investigation to ensure that the man who allegedly raped a 7-year-old at a Dros restaurant in Pretoria last week, remains behind bars. We welcome the fact that the suspect will remain in custody while the police continue with their probe.
This heinous crime will scar the child for the rest of her life. No one should go through such pain. We hope she and her family will receive all the support they need during this difficult time.
SCSA further calls for all ‘child-friendly’ restaurants to have or review their child safeguarding policies. SCSA is available and willing to assist businesses that are reviewing or will initiate child safeguarding policies following this incident.
“Restaurants such as Dros need to see the importance of child safeguarding from a policy level. They need to know that they have a responsibility to protect their customers including children that come through their doors,” says Save the Children South Africa’s Programme Director and Acting CEO Gugu Xaba.
The crime stats released by Police Minister Bheki Cele on 11 September 2018, revealed that 23 488 cases of sexual assault against children were recorded between March 2017 and April 2018. This figures is too high and could be higher as some cases go unreported. It shows that we continue to fail to protect our children.
SCSA and other NGOs have programmes that are aimed at ending and preventing violence against children, including teaching parents and teachers about positive parenting and positive discipline, but we need government to fund such programmes. As NGOs we cannot stop the scourge of violence against children alone, we need everyone to get involved.
ENDS
For more information or to set up interviews contact: Sibusiso Khasa on 073 449 6871 or [email protected]
About: Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In South Africa and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.
Note to the Editor: If children are affected, we’ve got something to say. Our team of experts are available for comments, interviews and information.
Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/SavetheChildrenSouthAfrica
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SaveChildrenSA
See the journey on Instragram: www.instagram.com/savethechildrensouthafrica
Photo by The Citizen / Twitter / Rorisang Kgosana
This heinous crime will scar the child for the rest of her life. No one should go through such pain. We hope she and her family will receive all the support they need during this difficult time.
SCSA further calls for all ‘child-friendly’ restaurants to have or review their child safeguarding policies. SCSA is available and willing to assist businesses that are reviewing or will initiate child safeguarding policies following this incident.
“Restaurants such as Dros need to see the importance of child safeguarding from a policy level. They need to know that they have a responsibility to protect their customers including children that come through their doors,” says Save the Children South Africa’s Programme Director and Acting CEO Gugu Xaba.
The crime stats released by Police Minister Bheki Cele on 11 September 2018, revealed that 23 488 cases of sexual assault against children were recorded between March 2017 and April 2018. This figures is too high and could be higher as some cases go unreported. It shows that we continue to fail to protect our children.
SCSA and other NGOs have programmes that are aimed at ending and preventing violence against children, including teaching parents and teachers about positive parenting and positive discipline, but we need government to fund such programmes. As NGOs we cannot stop the scourge of violence against children alone, we need everyone to get involved.
ENDS
For more information or to set up interviews contact: Sibusiso Khasa on 073 449 6871 or [email protected]
About: Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In South Africa and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.
Note to the Editor: If children are affected, we’ve got something to say. Our team of experts are available for comments, interviews and information.
Join us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/SavetheChildrenSouthAfrica
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SaveChildrenSA
See the journey on Instragram: www.instagram.com/savethechildrensouthafrica
Photo by The Citizen / Twitter / Rorisang Kgosana