IT is that time again – the time to rage against the scourge of woman and child abuse in South Africa. as we highlight 16 Days of Activism. It is to our shame as South Africans that we still have to raise this abomination, year after year, while the little ones and the women, the most vulnerable in our society, suffer sexual abuse.
I raise this in the letters page of your newspaper, a section of the paper which is clearly popular, providing as it does a vehicle to air the views of the readers. So often, statements and reports are just quickly scanned, but somehow the letters often catch the imagination and make that desperately needed impression.
I was appalled to read statistics that 80% of the sexual acts committed against children and women are by family friends and family members. That fact explains why so few are reported to higher authority or even to senior family members. The fear of retribution is clearly the reason.
Citizens are appealed to, to help educate victims, or potential victims, so that they are aware of organisations that will help them with all the advice and sympathy, gentleness and support that they sorely need. Mothers and fathers must educate within the home, that the vulnerable must be protected, not violated. It starts there, and must continue in the schools, the churches, the youth groups.
We "celebrated" Women's Day a few months ago. What was there to celebrate, when we are not able to protect our women, our children? When they are not respected and protected?
Bernice Wright, Port Elizabeth
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