Violence drives children to the streets
Sexual assault against children has escalated to an alarming rate that has been identified as the leading cause of children leaving their homes for the streets. This came to light at the just ended Gender-Based Violence (GBV) standard operating procedures workshop by the Botswana Police Service (BPS) that was held at the Majestic Five Hotel.
The police said exposure to violence, especially in the home, is a leading cause of children running away to live on the streets where they are more likely to engage in risky and criminal behaviour.
Officiating at the event, BPS’ director of forensic science services, senior aAssistant commissioner, Helen Tumediso said they continue to record disturbing cases in which women and children are abused, seriously assaulted or even killed by their male partners, relatives and acquaintances.
She said this is depicted through crimes such as murder, aggravated assaults, threatto-kill, rape and defilement.
“Sexual assaults against children, in particular, are at an alarmingly high rate, therefore our policing agenda prioritises tackling these crimes, ensuring that all GBV cases are reported and perpetrators are brought to justice. GBV is one of the most common yet unacknowledged and serious human rights violations,” Tumediso said.
She stated that violence against children, in particular, has a profound impact on their emotional, behavioural and physical health, and social development throughout life. Tumediso added that they are fully aware of the negative effects of GBV on children and as such recognise the importance of protecting children and avoiding re-victimising them when going through the justice system. According to Tumediso, the police will continue to ensure specialised services in the handling of GBV and child-related cases as well as facilitating the provision of psychosocial support to victims or suspects. “We envisage bridging the gap between legislation and strengthening accountability mechanisms to follow up and evaluate the implementation of the legislation,” she said.
Furthermore, Tumediso said policing organisations in the SADC region strive to be gender responsive in securing the safety of the region. She said one of the most instrumental organs, which contribute largely to GBV issues within the BPS is the Botswana Police Women Network, which plays a vital role in the advocacy and advisory role of police chiefs on issues of gender equality and equity.
“A development of note is the establishment of the Gender and Child Protection branch within the BPS effective April 2021 whose main function is to provide professional support in the investigation of GBV and child abuse cases,” Tumediso said.
“This will also ensure the facilitation of improved response to GBV and related cases. Consequent to the formation of the branch, two child-friendly centres were opened in Gaborone and Francistown.”
For her part, the director of the gender and child protection branch, senior assistant commissioner, Goitseone Ngono said GBV is a battle that needs collective effort because of the negative effects it has on children, women and men.
Ngono said it was imperative to emphasise the importance of protecting both women and children to even avoid re-victimising them when incidents and cases affecting them go through the justice system.
“We have developed a set of guiding Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) aimed at ensuring that officers are dedicated to integrating GBV into their work and are adequately skilled and ensure that our programmes are gender-sensitive, collaborative and participatory,” she said.
Ngono stated that the SOPs have been developed as a standard tool for dealing with GBV and child-related cases by ensuring interventions are well-coordinated, comprehensive and synchronised.