Mandatory sentence, panacea to abuse of minors
AFEW weeks ago, the media went agog with a story of alleged sexual molestation of two girls who were housed at Matthew Rusike Children’s Home by the chaplain and a teacher who had been mandated to care for the two victims.
The revelations were made at the Harare Magistrates’ Court recently, where the home’s chaplain and a former teacher were expected to appear to answer to charges of rape.
Whether the two would be found guilty or will be acquitted on the charges levelled against them is a story for another day.
What the nation cannot ignore is the rampant abuse of women, children and the disabled in the last few years in Zimbabwe.
There has been wanton sexual abuse of minors, both girls and boys in different communities across Zimbabwe, painting a bizarre picture of a nation that has dismally failed to rein in sexual perverts in its midst.
Heart-rending stories of young girls and boys being violated in children’s homes, in their own sanctuaries and in own communities by the same people who should superintend their welfare have become a regular feature in the media.
Sexual assault of minors is a confounding issue that society continues to treat in a lackadaisical manner, yet the consequences are long term and detrimental to a healthy society.
A number of reasons, among them economic challenges, have undermined family structures with poverty making children more vulnerable to sexual abuse.
Certain cultural and religious practices have also contributed to the high rate of child sexual abuse, threatening the moral fabric of the nation.
In its latest report, the Zimbabwe Republic Police noted with concern the increasing cases of rape involving minors and the vulnerable in the community.
Without giving statistics, the Zimbabwe Republic Police said it was clear that there had been a marked increase in cases of rape within communities, with the major- ity of them being committed by people who were known to the victims.
In its statement, the ZRP said unlike before when women were targets of sexual assault, sexual offenders were now targeting young children, a worrisome trend.
“We advise you to regularly monitor and supervise them (children) as they play and to avoid sending them to bushy or far away areas without company. Also ensure that you give custody of your children to responsible people who are trustworthy,” read a statement on the ZRP website.
Previous statistics from the police point to a shocking surge of rape of minors with more than 23 000 minors having been raped in 2014 and 2015.
Whether the increase could be attributed to increased awareness campaigns that police are carrying out or it is actually a rise in the sexual assaults of minors, the development gives credence on the need to impose hefty sentences to perpetrators of such heinous acts.
It also explains Government’s decision to craft mandatory legislative frameworks for perpetrators of sexual violence against children and people with disabilities.
Following widespread concerns over the rise of the heinous crime of sexual violence or rape, Cabinet considered a proposal on dealing with sexual offenders on minors and resolved to come up with more deterrent measures to stamp out the crime. The Government resolved that a sentence of 60 years of imprisonment be imposed for cases of rape of minors between 12 years of age and the disabled. It also resolved that a sentence of 40 years of imprisonment be imposed for the rest of the cases of rape or sodomy.
Once approved, the legislation would be the final nail in the coffin and sexual offenders would have to compose dirges as the majority will likely meet their Maker while still serving the sentences.
The Government’s decision was premised on the need to curb the problem following a series of gruesome and unwarranted abuse of minors by sexual offenders.
Naturally, there have been several dissenting voices on mandatory sentencing with some sections of society arguing that long mandatory sentences are too harsh and defy the whole purpose of rehabilitating offenders. Pretty much so.