Two Teachers Busted, 9 Children Safe
Did you know that more than 90% of child sexual violence cases involve someone the child or their family knows and trusts? This is a sobering reality both in the U.S. and Uganda.
Recently in Uganda, we’ve seen a concerning increase in the number of cases in schools. In the past several months, we’ve responded to two cases involving two teachers and at least nine primary school-aged children.
In May, during a prevention and awareness training at a primary school in Kampala, several children bravely came forward to disclose that the same teacher had abused them. The teacher was quickly apprehended and put behind bars. Since he’s being charged with aggravated defilement, he’ll be required to remain in jail until the high court hears his case.
In April, seven students from a primary school in Wakiso wrote an SOS letter revealing that they had been abused on multiple occasions by the same teacher.
A national TV news outlet covered this story. (Thankfully the victims’ identities were protected.) An image from that story can be seen above.
In both cases, we facilitated the arrests of the teachers and provided the survivors with medical assessments and counseling. We also offered counseling and legal advice to the parents of the victims. We will continue to manage and follow up on these cases until they’re resolved favorably.
While we know all children are at risk, even here in the West, we also know mandatory child safeguarding programs and background checks play crucial roles in minimizing potential threats.
Unfortunately, this is not the case in Uganda. The government and most schools simply don’t have the resources needed to implement basic security measures, leaving many children vulnerable and at risk.
That’s why we’re committed to reaching as many children, parents, and teachers as possible through our prevention and awareness trainings.
Each month, we host multiple trainings to educate teachers and staff members to recognize warning signs and to teach children how to protect themselves.
By empowering children with child-friendly prevention messages, we’re breaking the silence on the taboo topic of sexual violence.
So far, we’ve reached over 49,000 people through in-person trainings with prevention messages.
Not surprisingly, there’s a direct correlation between our efforts and the number of children reporting abuse. Every time we speak, children come forward. The more we speak, the more children come forward.
While we’re seeing a surge in cases now, it’s only because children are learning for the first time that there are people out there who care about them and who want to help them find safety, justice, and healing.
These are actual notes students passed along to our team at a recent training:
We know it can be disheartening to hear these stories. But there is hope!
While the problem will inevitably get worse before it gets better, we’re creating a ripple effect that will, in time, lead to a vast reduction in the number of child sexual violence cases in Uganda.
This work is only possible through the generosity of supporters like you.
Join us in creating a safer environment for the children of Uganda.
Together, we can empower children to break the cycle of silence and violence!
