A recent incident of sexual assault against a minor, has brought the severity of violence against children in the Western Cape to the fore.

Last week, a young 12-year-old girl on her way to meet a friend, was dragged and allegedly violated by teenage boys in a supposed “drug house” in Elsies River.

Since the incident, the girl’s mother* says she worries about returning to school, struggles sleeping and fears being around other people.

“She’s very traumatised, she’s scared. She’s really really broken after this incident.”

Four teenage boys, aged between 14 and 16, were arrested and made their first court appearance on Monday. They were granted R1000 bail, each, the following day.

As court proceedings are set to continue in late November, the likely lengthy court case and continued recall of what took place may add to the devastation the young girl faces.

A report by the United Nations notes that exposure to adverse childhood experiences, “cause both immediate and long-term physiological and psychological damage”.

Moreover, her alleged attack occurred just a day after World Mental Health Day was commemorated on 10 October.

Crimes against children: A sad reality

Crime statistics in the Western Cape, between April and June this year, are proof of the ongoing violence against children. 286 cases of assault, 78 cases of attempted murder and 43 cases of murder – all cases relating to crimes perpetrated against children.

A quick overview of these statistics lend weight to the young girl’s mothers claim that this incident was not the first of its kind in the vicinity.

“I want to tell those victims that was [sexually assaulted] by these boys – because my daughter isn’t the first one – I want them to come forward, so that we can get justice in our community.”

Ilitha Labantu’s Siya Monakali says the alleged actions by the teenagers accused is a harsh reminder of how far society has degenerated.

“It’s often a startling reminder to us, as a society, at which children themselves feel it is normal to perpetuate these type of acts upon other children… That is a harsh reminder that we still have a far way to go before we can have society that is free from these type of acts.”

*The identity if the mentioned source has been omitted to protect the victim’s identity.