Acknowledgements………………………………………………………………………………………………………….…........... .i
Foreword from Oxfam……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
.ii
Acronyms………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….……
iii
Table of Contents……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….....
iv
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTIONS………………………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………………..
1
1.1.
Background……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
1
1.2.
Methodology and Limitations…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
2
1.2.1.
Story Selection………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
2
CHAPTER 2: Legal and Policy Framework relating to Child Sexual Abuse and Violence in Zimbabwe…………………………………...
3
2.1.
The Constitution of Zimbabwe………………………………………………………………………………………....... 3
2.2.
Children’s Act [Chapter 5:06]……………………………………………………………………………………...... ...... 3
2.3.
Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23]………………………………………………...……........ 4
2.3.1. Complicity in the commission of sexual crimes………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
5
2.3.2. Rape and HIV transmission………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
5
2.4.
Domestic Violence Act [Chapter 5:16]………………………………………………………………………..……... ..... 6
2.5.
Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act [Chapter 9:07]…………………………………………………………...…........ 7
2.5.1. The Victim Friendly System ……………………………………………………………………………....................... .... 7
2.6.
Protocol on the Multi-Sectoral Management of Sexual Abuse and Violence in Zimbabwe 2012……….................... .... 8
2.6.1. Guiding Principals……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
2.7.
8
Conclusion ………………………………………………………………………………………………......................... 9
CHAPTER 3: Children’s Experiences…………………………………………………………………………………… .................. 10
3.1.
Anyone can abuse your child; trust no one: Chipo’s Story……………………………………………............ …………10
3.2.
When you are raped by someone you know: Mary’s Story…………………………………………………………. ...... 13
3.3.
When abuse happens at school: Leah’s Story……………………………………………………………………….. ...... 16
3.4.
When a child cannot identify the perpetrator: The Case of Charity…………………………………………………....... 17
3.5.
The child at the intersection of family, culture and a crime: Patricia’s Story………………………………………. ..... 19
3.6.
When Child Sexual Abuse is Disguised as Culture/Religion: Tinashe’s Story……………………………………... ..... 22
3.7.
When a guardian turns abuser: Diana’s Story ........................................................................................................................ 24
CHAPTER 4 Issues for Consideration by Various Stakeholders ............................................................................................................. 26
4.1
Some Issues for the Victim .............................................................................................................................................. 26
4.1.1.
Recommendations............................................................................................................................................................. 27
4.2.
Some Issues for NGOs targeting the Family and Community....................................................................................... 27
4.2.1.
Recommendations for NGOs Targeting the Family and Community ........................................................................... 28
4.3.
Issues for the Police, Prosecution and Magistrates ......................................................................................................... 28
4.3.1.
Recommendations for the Police, Prosecution and Magistrates .................................................................................... 29
4.4.
Conclusion ......................................................................................................................................................................... 29
4