Rape of minors a pandemic in Omusati – police

At least five minors are raped every month in the Omusati Region.

This has prompted the police in the region to issue a stern warning to parents not to leave their children unattended while attending festivities this December.

So far, the region has recorded 64 cases of child rape since the beginning of this year - almost twice as many as the 36 adults raped in the region since January.

Inspector Anna Kunga said these numbers are alarming and police in the region are working closely with the public to educate parents on not leaving their children at home unattended.

This, as most of the rapes are committed by relatives and those deemed “trusted friends”, she said.

In a warning message, Kunga said parents leave children at home to attend weddings and when they return, crimes have been committed against the little ones.

“Especially here in Omusati Region, we are not taking care of our children. They are suffering too much. Rape is too high.

“Let us take care of our little ones as school is closed. Those are our future nurses, police officers and pilots,” she stressed.

Before they travel, parents should think about the well-being of their children, the inspector said.

Gruesome statistics

Omusati police regional commander Ismael Basson said the region recorded 100 rape cases since January, of which 60 are minor girls and four are boys.

A further 34 cases of rape of adult women were recorded, while the victims in two cases were men.

The months of January, February, April and September saw boy raped, while the rest of the year recorded no cases of rape against boys.

"Eleven girls were raped in September and November in the region," he said.

Basson said eight girls were raped in May and six in February.

January recorded two minor female cases as well as one man and four adult women, while April recorded three cases involving minors and five involving adults. December so far recorded one case of a female minor being raped.

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