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[File image]: A child running in the passage.
The family of a five-year-old girl who was allegedly sexually assaulted by a fellow learner at a Johannesburg school says they are struggling to cope following the ordeal.
They say the incident – which allegedly occurred in August this year – has left their young girl in distress.
The parents have also slammed the school for its alleged dismissive response to the incident.
However, the school has defended itself – insisting that it handled the matter with the sensitivity it deserves and even implemented safety measures.
The young girl’s parents are worried about the effects of the incident.
Meanwhile, Director at the Teddy Bear Clinic – Dr Shaheda Omar says dealing with allegations of sexual abuse between minors is more complex as compared with adults.
The parents of the young girl are seeking justice and believe the school failed to act appropriately when dealing with the matter.
The school insists that it did not look away and it instead implemented preventative measures and increased its vigilance of learners among other actions.
Dr Omar says taking harsh steps would do more harm than good.
“One cannot be punitive because punitive is harmful but one has to look at how best to help both children in order to make sure that do not find themselves in a risky situation with the five-year-old as a victim may not re-enact this and the six-year-old may not re-offend,” says Omar.
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