The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said it is now targeting brothels in a bid to end child sexual abuse.
Addressing journalists in the capital this morning on the occasion of commemorating the International Day of the Girl Child, Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba said ZRP will deal with brothel owners who facilitate the sexual abuse of young girls.
“Brothels are a priority because they are the places where our young girls are being abused,” said Senior Assistant Commissioner Charamba while pointing out places like Pabooster in Epworth and kwaAntoney in Hopley.
She also urged girls to report whenever they are abused. She said it is imperative for the community to work hand in hand with the police to deal with perpetrators of child sexual abuse.
“We have to encourage young girls to exercise self-control and restraint. To have the ability to say NO.
“Children need awareness and constant supervision so that they do not fall into obvious traps that are destructive like alcohol and drug abuse which they can easily copy from their peers,” she said.
Charamba said, though the statistics being recorded show a downward trend there is need for all stakeholders to take measures to ensure that not a single child is subjected to child abuse.
Meanwhile, Masline Gapiro, a student from Epworth Secondary School who is also Police child spokesperson said sexual abuse against girl child in Zimbabwe in unacceptable.
“The magnitude of violence in particular sexual abuse against girls in Zimbabwe is unacceptable, especially because such abuse and exploitation often goes unreported,” said Gapiro.
She also said that the sexual abuse of girls has negative connotations as it affects their physical, emotional and social developments.
