Child Protection Gone Wrong in Schools
This is a story about child protection in schools going terribly wrong, and how our team is working to change that. But before I get to that, let me set the stage by stepping back into time in Uganda.
As I climbed the stairs of the Makindye Town Hall back in July, it seemed like nothing about the place had changed.
The building, located next to a police station in a busy division of Kampala, was still stuffy, a bit dingy, and bustling with activity.
I don’t think I’ve walked through those doors since the day the Child Protective Services Officer of Makindye asked us to foster Vanessa “for a short time.”
She had spent the previous two weeks in jail – the safest place for her after being disowned by her family for reporting her uncle to the polic.
That was 13 years ago.
The seed for better child protection was first planted in my heart that day.
As I approached the meeting room, I passed the very spot where I first met Vanessa. We’ve come full circle, I thought.
I stepped into a boardroom filled with Rescue One More staff, police officers, and other members of the Makindye Community Action Team (CAT) – the multidisciplinary team fighting and responding to child sexual violence in the Makindye Division of Kampala, Uganda.
Case Review: Ensuring Child Protection, Justice, and Healing
Our Kampala CAT administrator, Esther, sat ready to project case files on the wall.
Since launching the Makindye CAT in July 2023, the team has registered 150 child sexual violence cases and 105 arrests.
Our team quarterbacks these cases—pulling together government agencies, facilitating case reviews, and providing resources where needed.
Today, Esther was reviewing five cases that had gone off track and required the team’s weight to correct.
Child Protection Gone Wrong
One case involved the head teacher of a school accused of molesting eight young students. (Sadly, this case isn’t unique.)
Though he had been arrested, he was later granted bail.
In front of his colleagues, Esther turned to the chief of police to ask why. He offered a reason, but the CAT pushed back, arguing his release could lead to evidence tampering and put the girls at further risk.
They agreed to rearrest him.
They also agreed to send a team to the school to train teachers on child safeguarding and students on prevention and awareness.
After the training, eight more children came forward and disclosed that the same teacher had also abused them.
This week, our staff, together with the CAT, is headed to the Director of Public Prosecution’s office to ensure the case is prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
13 years ago, Vanessa watched her uncle get bribed out of jail and was given a jail cell to sleep in.
Today, an entire team is working to bring safety, justice, and healing to children in this community.
Something about this place has changed. And none of this change would be possible without you.
Thank you and God bless,
Scott Lambie
Founder & CEO
Rescue One More