The figures were released on May 25, 2026, during a media engagement organized by the Ministry of Gender and Family Promotion (MIGEPROF) in partnership with RIB.
The session was aimed at briefing journalists on the work of Isange One Stop Center, a facility that provides integrated services to victims of gender-based violence.
It also focused on explaining the offence of child defilement, its consequences, and the role of the media in raising awareness and prevention.
RIB noted that victims of child defilement range from very young children to adolescents aged up to 17 years.
Speaking during the briefing, RIB spokesperson Dr. Murangira B. Thierry said one of the main drivers of child defilement cases is parents’ limited time to supervise and closely follow up on their children, accounting for 45.5% of reported cases.
“The main cause we identified is that parents do not give their children enough time, which accounts for 45.5% compared to other factors,” he said.
He added that lack of awareness about sexual abuse contributes 14.5% of cases, while promises of marriage account for 11.2%.
Domestic violence was also identified as a contributing factor, representing 7% of reported cases.
Dr. Murangira further explained that risky child labour practices, including sending children to fetch water at night or collect firewood from unsafe areas, account for 4% of cases, exposing children to increased vulnerability.
He emphasized that the offence of child defilement does not expire under the law, meaning perpetrators can be prosecuted regardless of how much time has passed.
“Child defilement is imprescriptible. If someone defiles a child today and the victim grows up to be 30 years old, we can still investigate and prosecute based on evidence that shows the victim was under 18 at the time. Even after 50 years, you can still be prosecuted as long as you are alive,” he said.
Article 14 of Law No. 059/2023 of December 4, 2023, which amends Law No. 68/2018 of August 30, 2018 on offences and penalties in general, states that if child defilement is committed against a child under the age of 14, the offender is liable to life imprisonment upon conviction.
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