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Mauritius: Dangerous Guardians
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L'Express (Port Louis)
COLUMN
16 January 2008
Posted to the web 16 January 2008
Pauline ETIENNE
Port Louis
There is nothing more to say. The story - if proved true in Court - is so vile that it takes one's breath away. A university lecturer is provisionally charged with having sexual intercourse with a minor aged 12 years old. But, to add insult to injury, the young girl alleges that she was "sold" by her aunt.
Our society is definitely very sick. The real issue is that, without mentioning the fact that she has been the victim of sexual abuse - those meant to protect children - teachers and relatives - have allegedly stolen her innocence.
First, the alleged involvement of a university lecturer is a serious issue in itself. Teachers and lecturers should be role models for their students - and more globally for society as a whole. They are meant not only to give instruction to their students but also to inculcate basic values that will make of all young Mauritians responsible and balanced citizens of the future.
How can we hope and dream of a better society for tomorrow if the ones who should promote advocate values and principles are the torturers themselves? Teachers are trained to be the main companions of children on the road to success But they can also become the actors of their nightmares. Some studies show that adults who are not balanced and have drifting behaviours will choose jobs where they will be in contact with children to practise their devious habits.
It is not about questioning the moral of each teacher and lecturer. It is a fact that most of them are perfectly balanced who have the career and the well-being of their students at heart. However, there is a need for responsible institutions to stay on their guard to make sure they do not leave any room for doubt when children's safety is at stake.
But this is only half of the problem raised by the allegations made by the young girl. The other aspect is even more serious, as it concerns the alleged victim's relatives. The 22 year-old woman she accuses is her father's sister-in-law - who is now provisionally charged with engaging a child in prostitution.
This means that the 12 year-old girl may not be safe even with relatives and this is very serious. I can't help wondering how many young girls are tortured in their own family environment without daring to come forward and say what happened to them.
I fully agree with the ministry who calls upon the whole society to keep an eye on what's happening next door to try and prevent such horrible stories from occurring. I am not advocating voyeurism but it is definitely one of the best ways of protecting children. Officers of the ministry - especially through the Child Protection Unit - are already in the field to give the best possible protection to children.
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But statistics keep increasing Does it mean that cases are on the rise or is it a sign that an increasing number of children now come forward to confess their ill-treatment? No one can say for sure. But the ones responsible for the safety of children can't just deplore incidents. They should reinforce their fight!
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