Parents urged to take care of their children
This is after parents walked in on their 11-year-old daughter being raped by an 18-year-old.
Police have urged parents to ensure their children are properly supervised during the upcoming festive season.
Parents need to know where their children are at all times and make arrangements for suitable care and age-appropriate activities for them.
“Talk to your children about personal safety issues,” police advised.
This is after parents of an 11-year-old girl were shocked when they were informed that a man was raping their daughter in the Tambo Section of Emzinoni Township, in Bethal, Mpumalanga, on October 1, reported the Ridge Times.
Their daughter’s friend came up to them to alert them that their daughter was with the 18-year-old suspect in his home.
It is alleged the parents then went to the house, and on arrival found the suspect with the girl.
They called the police, and the man was arrested.
The police said according to information, the girl was playing outside the yard when the suspect called her to his place and said there was something he wanted to give to her.
Spokesperson Constable Cynthia Mtsweni said the suspect was a pupil at one of the local schools.
She called on parents to look out for their children and urged them to encourage children not to trust strangers.
The suspect is still in police custody and will appear in the Bethal Magistrates’ Court soon.
Read original story on ridgetimes.co.za
Police offered the following safety tips to parents:
– Make a rule that your children must ask permission or check in with you before going anywhere.
– Give your children your work and cellphone numbers so they can reach you at all times.
– Children must know how to contact you, the police or a close relative in an emergency.
– Children must know that if they become separated from you in a store or mall, they must immediately go to a store employee or cashier for help.
– Children must know their full name, age, telephone number and address.
– Educate your nanny/domestic worker on what they can do to help protect themselves and your children at home.
– Practise basic safety skills with your children.
– Make an outing to a mall or park an educational experience in which your children practice going to the bathroom with a friend and finding adults who may be able to help if they need assistance.
– Use the buddy system. Kids should not be left alone.
– even teens can go to the movies, the bowling alley, the mall or a party in groups.
– You must know where your children are at all times. Get to know their friends and their friends’ parents and be clear with them about the places and homes they may visit.
– Make time to talk to your child about the risks of engaging with strangers on social media and chat rooms.
– Teach children to be smart and to use good judgement whenever they are online. Report inappropriate content and behaviour.
– Never leave children unattended in a vehicle, whether it is running or not.
Also read:
GUIDE: Rape statistics in South Africa
Man arrested for rape in the CBD
Rape charge laid against ANC official
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