Health Experts Undergo Training

GOVERNMENT is training health personnel from all parts of the country to deal expertly with cases of child sexual abuse.

The training also covers counselling.

At least 20 doctors, nurses, counsellors and psychologists from Government hospitals underwent training at a four-day "Child Sexual Abuse Forensic Workshop" in Harare.
Officially opening the workshop, the Minister of Health and Child Welfare, Dr David Parirenyatwa, said it was his mission to fight child sexual abuse as it was getting out of hand.
Just last year alone, he said, more than 3 000 cases of child sexual abuse were dealt with at family support clinics in Harare, Chitungwiza and Mutare.

"It is obvious that there are more of these cases going unreported. Such figures are frightening especially in this day and age when HIV and Aids has become a sad reality.
"The vulnerability of these child victims cannot be overemphasised because everyday we hear of 55-year-old men who are abusing one-year-olds," he said.
It was important for health personnel to undergo specialised training so they would be equipped to handle cases of abuse.

Very often a nurse is the first person to tell that a child has been abused as some parents cover up the crime to protect perpetrators, who often turn out to be close relatives.
Dr Parirenyatwa said in such instances it was vital for the health practitioner to be able to counsel both the victim and her family.
It was also important for the health practitioners to be at the forefront of the campaign against child abuse, Dr Parirenyatwa said.

"Do not just have workshops, let us see action, form a spearheading campaign against child sexual abuse after this training and go into schools if necessary.

"Let the children know what abuse is and report any suspected cases."

Dr Parirenyatwa said he was ready to take the idea right up to Cabinet, as Government was committed to the protection and well-being of children who were the country's future.

"We should make sure children are safe; they are the future," he said.

Nurses and doctors attending the training expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Health and Child Welfare for sponsoring the workshop saying it was becoming increasingly important for them to undergo specialised training in dealing with sexual abuse.

They said they were dealing with such cases with alarming frequency.

Dr Parirenyatwa recently called on parents to monitor their children's movements and to communicate with them and protect them from abuse.
A child whose parents tells them that they should not allow people even relatives to touch their body would be in a position to tell their parents if anyone tried to do so.
Those whose movements are strictly monitored would also raise alarm should they fail to follow the normal routine, which might save them from abusers.


(06.12.2004)

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