Protecting The Vulnerable :: Mmegi Online

The recent edition of The Monitor sounded the alarm with a story headlined: “Rape Of Imbiciles [sic] Spirals Out Of Control- Police Boss”. The story reports on the rising number of, what the reporter also calls, ‘mentally challenged’ women being raped in Mahalapye.

The manner in which the story was reported and the content of the story indicates the need for our society as whole to work towards the dignified and compassionate care of those living with intellectual disability.

Regarding the manner of the reporting, it is regrettable that words like “imbecile” were used. The reporter and editor perhaps may be excused for using the words in the legal context of criminal cases. Legislation in Botswana (the Penal Code and Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act) unfortunately has frozen in time and continues to use derogatory terms like imbecile and idiot. One needs to ashamedly admit that these terms originate from our health disciplines.

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