BETRAYAL OF TRUST BOOK written by Maxwell Matewere provides a compelling look into the dark and inhuman side of child sexual abuse and invites each one of us to join the growing response against child sexual abuse affecting many innocent, defenceless, and vulnerable children in Malawi.
The Book inform the readers about the national laws that protect children from defilement and sexual abuse in Malawi, how parents can dictate and prevent such incidents before they happen, what type of treatment Victim needs, about HIV postexposure prophylaxis and about the punishment given to offenders.
The book is an attempt by the Author as a child rights advocate then to inform Parents who need to Know the signs as an “opportunity for prevention” – a chance for caring adults to recognize possible risk, act and to protect children.
“Remember, the most effective prevention takes place before there’s a child victim to heal or an offender to punish”.
The Ministry of Gender, Community Development and Social Welfare conducted a national survey on Violence against Children and Young Women in 2013. The findings indicate that Child sexual abuse and exploitation is a serious problem in Malawi as 1 out of 5 females and 1 out of 7 males have experienced at least one incident of sexual abuse prior to the age of 18. Among those who experienced at least 1 incident of sexual abuse prior to age 18 years, 68.4% of females and 74.4% of males had multiple incidents (i.e., two or more incidents) of sexual abuse.
According to the survey those who experienced any sexual abuse prior to age 18 were significantly more likely to have experienced mental distress, ever thought of suicide and more likely to have STI symptoms compared to those who did not experience sexual abuse.
LET’S HELP TO PROTECT CHILDREN FROM SEXUAL EXPLOITATION. THE LONG-TERM IMPACT OF DEFILEMENT AND SEXUAL ABUSE IS GRAVE. IT HAS A SIGNIFICANT NEGATIVE HEALTH AND SOCIAL IMPACTS. PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE
