ACDP calls for protection of Children and the Family

Rhoda Southgate MP (African Christian Democratic Party)

Thursday, 15 November 2001

Notice of Motion by African Christian Democratic Party MP, Rhoda Southgate given in the National Assembly yesterday.

I move that the house:

Notes with concern and outrage that reports indicate a clear increase of child rape cases in South Africa;
Notes that government has been slow to act in addressing the urgent problem of child abuse and rape;
Further notes that it is ironic that government is now moving towards proper protection for children, when this kind of crime against children has been occurring for a much longer time;
Calls on government to provide all child rape victims with immediate access to antiretroviral drugs, with compulsory HIV tests;
Notes that the family is the foundational building block of society and that it is government’s responsibility to protect and to create an environment in which families can grow and flourish;
Calls on government to commit to ensuring that with each case of reported child abuse or rape, the perpetrators are convicted and receive harsh sentences without the option of bail.

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For more information please call Rhoda Southgate MP at 082 8758194 or ACDP Media Liaison Liza Bloemetje at 082 4781037