#GPSchoolsAbuse: Protecting victims of sexual abuse goes beyond the classroom
31 October 2017
There is no simple and seemingly magical solution for dealing with rampant sexual abuse in Gauteng’s schools. Gauteng Premier David Makhura’s narrow solution to the problem, namely better vetting of patrollers, is a shame.
Protecting our learners go beyond the hours of the classroom. School learners, such as the 14-year-old girl who opened a case against Emfuleni Mayor, Simon Mofokeng, for sexual grooming and taking out a protection order against him, must also receive assistance from the government.
The Premier firmly believes in repackaging an archaic concept in dealing with sexual abuse, molestation and gender-based violence in the province and that this approach will miraculously see justice for victims and put perpetrators behind bars.
The DA’s call for the Premier to appoint a commission of inquiry is to strengthen government action and is but one part of a multi-pronged approach. The Premier must be reminded that it took a commission of inquiry to fully uncover the horrors of Life Esidimeni.