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Writes Tafadzwa Muranganwa
A local Non-Governmental Organisation(NGO) is worried about the high incidences of acquittals of child molesters and rapists.
Speaking at a media conference in the capital on Friday, Zimbabwe Association of Church-Related Hospitals (ZACH) programme coordinator, Dennis Dzikiti revealed that the rate of acquittals of child molesters and rapists is worrying even the police.
“The rate of acquittals of perpetrators of sexual violence involving children is even frustrating police officers who would have effected arrests.
“Offenders are also given bail, which leaves parents and guardians with less confidence in the justice system,” alluded Dzikiti.
He cited the shortage of workers as contributing to some acquittals.
“There is a serious shortage of social workers because of brain drain. Since it is required by law that children be accosted by a probation officer in court sessions, the shortage means that children have to be on their own.
“The intimidating environment in court will leave children susceptible to manipulation such that offenders can get away with their crimes,” pointed out the ZACH programme coordinator.
This was also echoed by ZACH programme officer, Maxwell Hombiro, who said many feel Section 70 which spelts out ‘sex with minor’ offenses is not deterrent enough to ward off would-be offenders.
According to Dzikiti, there was a need to reform the Children’s Act to mitigate against such occurrences.
“The Children’s Act has a varied definition of a child which stipulates that a child is a person below the age of 16 years. This contradicts with the definition of a child in UNCRC, ACRWC, and other acts of parliament,” he said.
ZACH recommends comprehensive sexuality education in the curriculum.
The organisation adopted Start Awareness Support Action (SASA) and is implementing the program in eight hot spot districts that include Chimanimani, Mguza, Kwekwe Umzingwane, and Bindura among many other districts.
Initially adopted by Uganda, the programme has immense potential to reduce HIV infections.