Concerted Efforts Needed Against Child Abuse

Child abuse remains one of the crimes committed in Rwanda in different forms, though at a low rate. It is a crime that requires collective responsibility to fight.

Major Child abuse related cases registered in Rwanda include defilement, abortion, child labour, infanticide and assault.

Child abuse can occur in homes, communities, organizations and schools.

Violation of child right can be both physical and psychological.

“A child has right to birth, recognising own parents, food, education, and health care,” Senior Superintendent (SSP), Rose Musoni, the Director for Anti GBV and Child Abuse in Rwanda National Police, said.

“The consequences of anyone caught abusing the rights of children are severe and those involved stand to be warned,” SSP Musoni cautioned.

“The act of reporting cases of child abuse like defilement, abortion, child labour and corporal punishment should be everyone’s responsibility and a norm among Rwandans t to bring to justice the offenders and protect children.”

Rwanda is one of the first countries in the world that ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) to ensure that children acquire basic needs and protected from violence, abuse and exploitation.

In line with this strategy to ensure that children reach their full potential, and to initiate practical measure to protect children, Rwanda National Police established the Directorate of ‘Anti Gender-Based Violence and Child Abuse.’

The force also established Isange One Stop Centre, a medical facility to offer free-medical, psychological and legal services to GBV victims, as one of the ways to fight the vice and assist the victims.

She explained that they conduct periodic awareness in communities, radios, schools and hold meetings with parents on children rights, which has contributed to the “tremendous decrease.”

The public can also report cases of child abuse and gender violence by calling the Rwanda National Police hotlines; 3512 and 116.

SSP Musoni also appealed to the public to report such cases to the nearest Police Station to help victims in time, especially to get medical results and to prevent them from being infected with incurable diseases like HIV/AIDS.

RNP