Outrage over scourge of pupils’ sex abuse

Another case claimed; parents in uproar

WITH the rage surrounding the Parktown Boys High sexual abuse case only now starting to simmer, a primary school facing a similar scandal has allegedly had yet another one of its young pupils sexually assaulted.

Scottsville Primary in Pieter maritzburg was in the media spotlight last year when one of its counsellors was arrested after 10 children between the ages of 5 and 13 were allegedly discovered to have been molested by him.

While the counsellor’s criminal trial has been set down for July 31, last week parents were summoned by the school to be informed of yet another alleged rape at the school.

A statement released by the school confir med the attack that allegedly happened on May 24, saying: “The principal issued a notice of suspension to the employee involved on the same day, reported the matter to the Department of Education and informed the parents of the learner of what had allegedly happened”.

The statement said the parents of the child were given counselling and informed they should report the matter to the police without delay.

“Following on the meeting with the parents of the school on May 26, 2017, we have enlisted the services of an external security company to make suggestions and further enhance the security system at the school, which was upgraded following the alleged tragic events of 2016,” the statement read.

One enraged parent of three of the victims in the previous abuse case told The Star she was enraged to hear of the new attack, accusing the school of failing to protect its pupils. “This is a sign that no proper safety measures have been placed at the school. They’ve done nothing to change the situation at the school,” she said.

The same parent spoke of how even after her children were subjected to years of abuse at the hands of the counsellor, the school had still not offered to assist in paying for trauma counselling for the children. Two other parents also confirmed the school’s total lack of assistance, despite promises it would help them.

While the school was con- tacted for comment and for further details of the attack, its principal, Nhlanhla Mkhize, directed queries to School Governing Body head Suben Pillay.

However, the SGB head denied claims the parents had not been given counselling assistance, but was unable to explain when and how the counselling had taken place, saying the KZN Department of Education had “been in charge of that”.

Meanwhile, the parents of the children allegedly molested by the counsellor have also complained that despite the criminal trial set down for the end of July, their children have yet to be given any sort of court preparation for what will potentially be traumatic testimony. This was also confirmed by Martin Pelders, director and founder of Matrix Men, an anti-abuse foundation that has been following the case.

“The parents feel left adrift in a sea of doubt and confusion as no one really communicates with them,” he said.

The parents who spoke to the Saturday Star said they were anxious that they had yet to be contacted for the court preparation, and were also unaware of whether their children would be testifying.

Nat i o n a l Prosecuting Aut h o r i t y s p o ke swo man Natasha Ramkisson said she had been contacted about the lack of court preparation for the children, but said the process would be started soon. She said it was understandable parents were anxious but that the court preparation sessions were very “hands on” and would prepare the children for their testimony.

However, according to Childline Director in Gauteng Lynne Cawood, such a sensitive case, involving children so young and likely traumatised, meant that extra time should have been assigned to court preparation for the children.

“A month or two is not optimal; these sessions are about building up the children before they have to go to court. The parents should also be informed of how their children will be testifying. Will their be support courtrooms available?” she asked.

Last month, a waterpolo coach at Parktown Boys High School was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting 20 pupils. He man made his last appearance at the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court last month, where it was revealed the State intended to transfer the case to the High Court for trial.

He returns to court on July 11.

“It’s important to get the message across that boys can be victims too, and that we are entitled to seek healing and justice,” said Pelders, who has been following both cases.

Cawood also urged any young victim of sexual assault to call Childline for assistance on its toll-free number 0800 055 555.