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Mongu VSU Records High Cases Of Child Neglect
By Perpetual Sichikwenkwe in Mongu
The Mongu Victim Support Unit (VSU) has observed that high poverty levels in
the area are forcing men to neglect their children.
The VSU says cases of neglecting families were topping the list of the
number of cases that are reported to the centre daily.
VSU Coordinator Chief Inspector Shang'oma said the Unit was receiving a lot
of reports from women on their husbands or fathers of their children who
fail to provide basic necessities such as food, shelter, health care and
education to their families or children.
Shang'oma said one notable thing among women who go to report such cases is
that they do not stay with the men that they complain about but just have
children out of wedlock.
“What we do when a woman comes to report the father of her children for
negligecting to provide basic necessities, we usually call both parties and
counsel them and find a solution to the problem. We advise the man to start
providing for the children and if he fails to do so, we advise the woman to
sue that man in the courts of law” Shang'oma said.
She, however, said it was rare that a man was taken to court because in most
cases, they do what they are advised at the VSU.
Shang'oma said in June 2006, the unit received 22 cases of neglecting to
provide basic necessities to children while in April 20 cases were reported
and 13 cases have been reported so far in the month of July.
And VSU Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Chief Inspector Parent Hanyama said the
other cause of neglect was that young men and women were indulging in
premarital sex at a tender age when they do not even understand what it
means to be responsible. Chief Inspector Hanyama said as a result of this,
children suffer as women alone cannot manage to provide for children and
most children end up being on the street or resorting to criminal
activities.
On defilement, Chief Inspector Shangoma said the number of defilement cases
that are reported to her office have reduced.
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