Is it rape or defilement?
Friday, May 13, 2016
Let them be: A campaign is on to protect school girls from sexual abuse
Is she 16 or is she 17 years old? What are the potential charges? Where is the line drawn?
Since the scandal broke out last week, social media has been rife with both terms being used interchangeably. Others have attempted to make a distinction, saying the age of the victim in the case determines which charge or term to use.
The rise in defilement and missing persons cases, particularly over the recent festive period, points not merely to a failure of policing, but to a profound and widespread societal crisis. Whilst the Police chief’s plea is rightly directed at parents, the root of this emergency runs deeper, demanding a collective response from every corner of our community. Marathe’s observations paint a picture of neglect with children left alone for...