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Unreported cases of defilement a concern to the police

Botswana Police Service(BPS) is concerned about sexual abuse cases of under aged girls that
continue to rise despite numerous efforts by the organisation to educate members of the public. Of
recent, the Police Child Friendly Service Centre in Gaborone received a total of 24 cases of deflement.
referred to BPS by Princess Marina Hospital.

Between November 2021 and 17* March 2022, the hospital delivered children born of teenage mothers
aged between 15 and 17. Preliminary investigations have revealed that 20 of the 24 incidents that
occurred in the greater Gaborone area .The overall statistics indicate that the BPS registered 2033 cases of Defilement of Persons Under the Age of 18 years for the year 2021 as compared to 1 825 cases reported in 2020.

The Penal Code, Section 147(1) stipulates that; ‘any person who unlawfully and carnally knows any
sguilty of an offence and minimum term of 10 years, or to a maximum term of life imprisonment.’

Accordingly, the Children’s Act of 2009, Section 25 (2) states that; Any parent, guardian, teacher or
other person who, without reasonable excuse, falls to report a case of child abuse or
itation of which he or she is aware shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of not
less than P10 000.00 but not more not more than P30 000.00, or to imprisonment for a term of not less
than two years but not more than three years, or both.

The Police would therefore, like to wam members of the public against sexual abuse of children andior
at such nature and that stem measures will be taken against perpetrators.
The public is also advised to report such cases to the nearest Police Station or call 0800 600 144 or

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