The Okavango District is battling a disturbing rise in child sexual abuse cases, with council leadership warning that the safety of children is increasingly under threat and calling for urgent, coordinated action from communities, law enforcement and social institutions.
In his opening speech during the final full council session this week, the Okavango District Council (ODC) Chairperson Gaopalelwe Ronald disclosed that the district has recorded 156 child sexual abuse cases, a figure that reflects a troubling trend and signals a deep-rooted social crisis that continues to expose minors to harm.
“I am deeply concerned that the district continues to experience an increase in the number of child sexual abuse cases, currently the statistics stands at one hundred and sixty-two (156). All these reported cases are at various stages of litigation,” the chairperson revealed.
He further revealed that the cases span across different categories including the 71 of defilement, 1 relationship issue, 11 of alternative care issues, 46 child abuse, 3 repatriation and 1 land advocacy issue. These figures, he said, paint a grim picture of the vulnerabilities facing children within families and communities.
The chairperson warned that the consequences of child sexual abuse extend far beyond the immediate trauma, underscoring that its impact damages families and erodes community cohesion. “The damage this causes is unimaginable. It doesn’t just hurt the child, it tears apart families and it breaks the trust that holds our communities together,” he said.
Ronald stressed that council alone cannot combat the crisis, urging collective responsibility and stronger collaboration between stakeholders to prevent further cases and protect victims.
“This is a fight we cannot win alone in this council chamber. We need to build a wall of protection around our children, and that means everyone must play a part,” he emphasised.
Calling for decisive intervention, the Chairperson urged village leadership, police, teachers, churches, NGOs and parents to intensify awareness campaigns, strengthen reporting mechanisms and ensure that cases are dealt with swiftly and effectively.
He further highlighted that the continued rise in abuse cases reflects underlying social problems such as poverty, unemployment, substance abuse and weakened family structures, which leave children increasingly vulnerable to exploitation. He stressed that silence and fear often prevent victims from speaking out, allowing perpetrators to continue their crimes unchecked.
Addressing the emotional toll on victims, the Chairperson noted that many abused children suffer long-term psychological scars that affect their education, confidence and ability to form healthy relationships, reinforcing the urgent need for counselling and sustained support services.
“Let’s come together and finally put an end to this scourge,” he added, appealing for unity and zero tolerance towards child abuse.
