MONTCLAIR SAPS and Montclair victim support centre issue an alert to parents as young girls are being targeted by older men for sex.
The warning comes after a 16-year-old girl was allegedly raped in Montclair by a 25-year-old man on Tuesday, 7 April. The girl alleges she met the man in Pinetown where she was visiting her aunt.
The girl’s mother, who does not wish to be named, says she doesn’t understand why the rape occurred. She said her daughter had been seeing the man for a week when the rape took place. The girl met the man at a shop in Pinetown and he said he wanted to be her boyfriend. The two exchanged numbers and on their third meeting, the man lured her to Montclair and allegedly raped her. The mother also referred to the man as her daughter’s boyfriend. “The man promised her a cellphone and money. I told her it was wrong to be with someone so much older,” she said.
A case was opened at Montclair SAPS. The mother says since the incident, her daughter has been quiet and keeps to herself. “Parents, please talk to your children and tell them that it’s wrong to date men who are a lot older,” she said.
According to Montclair victim support centre (VSC) co-ordinator, Brenda Neal this is not the first case. Last December, a 13-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a 28-year-old man in Montclair. The minor was also not from the area. The incident was reported to Montclair SAPS.
“Young girls are being targeted by men between the ages of 30 and 40. It’s scary because in the case of this 16-year-old girl she refers to the man as her boyfriend. She wasn’t really his girlfriend,” said Neal.
Neal says that parents need to be aware of what is happening to their children and take responsibility for them. “The older men don’t want to be the girl’s friend. They want to befriend them for sex. This is not just happening to girls,” she said.
Neal added that parents must educate their children as to why older men want to befriend young girls. “Parents need to take notice. Children get too much freedom in society today. Parents also need to be aware of the dangers of HIV/Aids,” she said.
“If you say no it’s rape. When children say they are sleeping over, phone to check if your children are at a friend’s home. If you notice behavioural changes in your child, ask them what’s wrong. Teach your children that if they’re being touched in certain parts of their bodies they must tell you,” said Neal.
The VSC co-ordinator says children need to learn good principles and values and that parents need to teach their children to be responsible. Neal added that she fears that incidents such as these could lead to sex trafficking.
