UNITED DEMOCRATIC MOVEMENT
MEDIA RELEASE
CHILDREN: VICTIMS OF SA's MORAL DECLINE?
MEDIA
STATEMENT ISSUED BY KHOSI MNCEDANE
UDEMWO NATIONAL GENERAL SECRETARY
The
United Democratic Movement Women's Organisation (UDEMWO) is extremely concerned
about reports on the apparent increase in incidents of sexual and physical abuse
of children, especially the very young ones, in South Africa; this is totally
unacceptable. Everyday we hear and read about men and women who either sexually
or physically abuse fellow human beings.
The recent reports on six men in Upington who gang raped a nine-month-old girl,
the alleged rape of a 14-month-old baby by her uncles in the eastern Free State,
as well as the young couple who so severely shook their baby until it was blind
and brain-damaged, are symptoms of the apparent moral decline amongst South
Africans.
UDEMWO believes that we need to go back to basics; basic respect for life; back
to basic respect for another human being and basic respect for the laws of our
country
The UDEMWO would add its voice to that of the Coalition for Children's Rights
when advocating for stronger action against perpetrators of child abuse, whether
it be verbal, physical and/or sexual. UDEMWO would make a serious appeal on
government to give this matter the attention it deserves.
Enquiries:
Ms Khosi Mncedane
UDEMWO National General Secretary
Pretoria
31 October 2001