Encourage children to report abuse Police

PARENTS and guardians should initiate dialogue with their children so that they are free to open up on cases of sexual abuse and other problems they may encounter so that action is taken timeously.

The call was made by the police following a case of rape that happened in July and only came to light recently after the victim, a juvenile got the courage to speak out after a church service.

Police are now investigating the case where the 15-year-old girl from Cowdray Park was raped by an unknown man while coming from school.

Provincial police spokesperson for Bulawayo Inspector Abednico Ncube said on an unknown date in July at about 1pm, the complainant was on her way home from school using a foot path that passes through a bushy area near Luveve High School when she was approached by an unknown man from behind.

The man grabbed the girl by the hand, produced a knife and threatened to kill her if she made noise. He then tripped her to the ground, removed her clothes and raped her once.

The complainant went home and never told anyone about the issue.

On 21 August, the police said, the complainant attended a church youth service where they were encouraged as youths to speak out on all sexual abuse cases they have encountered.

“It is then that the complainant went home and narrated the ordeal to her mother who on 31 August escorted her to make a report to the police,” said Insp Ncube.

He advised parents to be always approachable and to monitor their children especially during the adolescent stage.

“We urge parents to always monitor their children and behavioural change in adolescents. Parents should always be approachable to their children so that they open up quickly whenever they encounter problems,” he said.