Oprah Sheds Light on Child Abuse in South Africa

Oprah's School Sheds Light On South Africa's Ghastly Epidemic of Child Rape

Oprah Winfrey tearfully apologized to the students and their parents for the recent charges of sex crimes that have been leveled on a matron, Virginia Makopo, at her $40 million Leadership Academy for Girls. The reports have said that the matron fondled one of the students and had thrown a girl against the wall after grabbing her by the throat. Winfrey has said that the recent events have been "one of the most devastating experiences" of her life. Makopo was charged with 13 counts of assaulting and sexually abusing students at the school. She pleaded guilty to the charges and was released on $460 bail. Oprah handled the situation with a great deal of grace and finesse. She thanked the South African police for their swift action and has said in a statement that she was "grateful for [police] compassion and sensitivity to the girls during this difficult time." There is a greater message in this for all to see. This incident has turned the spotlight on the ghastly epidemic of child rape in South Africa.

It is said that praise for the South African police in its rapid response to Oprah's plight is not the norm. The country is plagued by violent crime, as evidenced from the recent murder of singer Lucky Dube. Alleged sexual offenders are rarely brought to courts swiftly, it at all. South Africa has one of the world's highest incidences of child rape, including several barbaric attacks on infants. The conviction rate is only five to six percent of all reported sex cases. According to an article published on Newsweek.com, organizations working in that field have estimated that the 98,000 rape and sexual abuse charges that were reported to the authorities between April 2006 and March 2007, reflect as little as 10 percent of the actual figure.

Equally appalling are the statistics from Amnesty International, which has estimated that some 302,000 girls under 18 were raped in 2006 and 2006. The organization has said that much of the sex abuse occurs in schools. Adding to those alarming statistics, a recent survey of children by the Centre for Justice and Crime Prevention, located in Cape Town, has revealed that 41 percent of children under 18 years had fallen victim to crime in the preceding 12 months. The CJCP has said that its research has indicated that children who have experienced crime have a statistically high chance themselves of turning to crime or antisocial behavior.

Unfortunately, this epidemic is not limited to South Africa, but it is a problem throughout the entire continent. Child advocates have said that perpetrators are generally shielded by the traditionally low status of girls, a lingering view that sexual abuse is a private matter and justice systems that constitute obstacle courses for victims. Data is sparse to nonexistent and sexual violence is notoriously underreported. The World Health Organization conducted a survey of nine countries last year and found the highest incidence of child sexual abuse in Namibia, where more than one in five women reported being sexually abused before age 15. Relatives are the most frequent perpetrators in Africa, as is the case in much of the world. The children of Africa face more risks, especially at school. Half of Malawian schoolgirls surveyed in 2006 have said that male teachers or classmates had touched them in a sexual manner without their consent. Sadly, statistics have shown that the number of abuse cases in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Uganda, Sierra Leone and other African countries are rising quickly. Researchers have cited various reasons for the prevalence of such abuse against children, including poverty, which undoubtedly makes it harder for parents to keep their children safe; a legacy of violent and oppressed societies and cultural mores that permit offenders to escape criminal punishing by marrying their victims or compensating the families of the victims.

Schools should be a nurturing environment for children where they learn to socialize and take their places in our society. Instead, we have seen time and time again, that it is becoming a place that is violent for many of these children. School authorities rarely challenge the perpetrators of violence and abuse. The Human Rights Watch has said that many girls interrupt their education or leave school altogether because they feel vulnerable to sexual assault. According to a report by the Human Rights Watch, entitled "Scared at School: Sexual Violence Against Girls in South African Schools," girls have been attacked in school toilet facilities, in empty classrooms and corridors, hostel rooms and dormitories. The South African government has acknowledge the problem's severity and has made some significant efforts to improve the state's response to violence against women, however, school officials still fail to protect the girls from rape, sexual assault and sexual harassment. It is mandatory to report child abuse in South Africa, but reporting the behavior also has repercussions for the victims, such as hostile or indifferent responses from school authorities. According to the report, schools often promise to handle matters internally and often urge the girls' families not to alert the police or cause publicity problems for the schools.

Winfrey must be applauded for immediately addressing the allegations. Her actions were far different from the "typical" situation in South Africa, which would be shrouded in secrecy and shame, as well as most often being dealt with reluctantly and ineptly. It has been said that rarely, too, would the police have acted so quickly as it had in this situation. After all, Oprah commands a great deal of respect and surely, it would have been a political nightmare had the authorities handled the allegations in their usual manner, basically doing nothing. The police were also assisted by Oprah's team of investigators and counselors, further spurring them into action.

The school case has also underscored another troubling trend in South Africa-a growing number of women have been accused of abuse. The overwhelming majority of sexual offenses against girls in South Africa are still committed by males, but there has been a steady increase in the cases involving women. It is a real shame that many of these girls have to endure such hardships. Many have come from extremely difficult situations. The situation seems to be dire in South Africa for many reasons. Experts have said that those who rape children are buying into the myth that sex with a virgin can cure HIV/AIDS, leading to a spate of barbaric attacks on babies and toddlers. Statistics have shown that five million South Africans are infected with the virus and an estimated 5,000 patients die from it weekly. Those deaths have orphaned millions of children, leaving them to grow up in tenuous circumstances and without a family structure or members to guide and protect them. Oprah's school offers girls an opportunity to become productive members of society. It offers them the opportunity to follow their dreams and to realize their potentials. While many have said that she should have built her school here, but why not in South Africa, a place that is crying out for help.

The allegations at the school have definitely turned the spotlight on something so insidious and ghastly that is currently occurring in South Africa and all over the world. The children are our future and we must protect them at all costs, no matter where they live, their socioeconomic status and the color of their skin.