108 out of 244 females aged between 11 & 16 raped in 3 months in Bulawayo

A total of 233 females were raped in the last 3 months in Bulawayo with 108 girls aged between 11 and 16 being sexually abused with only 75 receiving counselling.

A third quarter report which covers July, August and September from the National Aids Council (Nac) indicates that a majority of the victims did not get counselling and were not tested for HIV. The report shows 31 girls and four boys aged below five years fell victim to sex predators in the three months. A total of 42 girls and three boys aged between five and 10 years were abused while 34 females and one male aged between 17 and 24 years were sexually abused.

The report also indicates that 18 women aged above 25 years suffered abuse. Nac says the number of sexual abuse cases in the province is high given that only 180 of the total figure tested for HIV. National police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba recently said at least 325 cases of juvenile rape are recorded every month, which translates to 11 minors being raped in the country every day.