Child Incest In Church, Christian Body Raises The Alarm

Child Incest In Church, Christian Body Raises The Alarm

Incest in itself is a big issue in many societies, not to talk of when it has now become a common practice involving children in the church

No good Christian body would see that and keep quiet. And that is why the Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) Zambia’s Copperbelt, is raising the alarm.

In fact, the YMCA is shocked beyond words many cases of biological fathers taking their children to bed.

It says that it is currently handling four cases of child incest in Kitwe of biological fathers who had been sexually abusing their children.

Child Incest In Church, Christian Body Raises The Alarm

According to the Lusaka Times, Police in Kitwe two weeks ago arrested and detained a 38 year old man of Kakolo Farming Block for allegedly impregnating his 15-year old daughter.

This is a case in which the suspect, whose identity has been withheld, is alleged to have been sexually abusing his biological daughters aged between 12 and 15.

Police Deputy Public Relations Officer Danny Mwale reported that the suspect used to forcibly have carnal knowledge with the girls in their house at night when everyone including his wife was sleeping.

YWCA Copperbelt Regional Coordinator Sharon Mambo said the fight against child sexual abuse is becoming increasingly difficult because children are being abused by people who are supposed to protect them.

Ms. Mambo said it is tough for the Police and NGOs alone to address child sexual abuse when it is happening within families.

She urged families to be alert in safeguarding children in order to curtail all forms of child abuse.

Child Incest In Church, Christian Body Raises The Alarm

“The cases of incest are on the rise, for example in the last one month as YWCA through our partners Zambia Police we have been receiving children who being defiled by their biological fathers, uncles.

“It is a sad development because these are the people who are entrusted to take care of the children and protect them.

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“So having a high rate of children being defiled by their own biological parents is so worrying because even if we say we put in measures, how do we protect the children because they are in the custody of these very perpetrators and even to know that this child is undergoing such abuse it will take a firm relative or a neighbour who will come out and report such cases,” Ms. Mambo said.