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As South Africa was coming to grips with the news that a scholar patrolman was accused of sexually assaulting more than 80 pupils at a primary school in Soweto, the news that came in this week had many people reeling.
A police officer tasked with preparing the children for court appearances had allegedly molested two of them.
According to Gauteng education department, the incident occurred on Monday, when the officer visited the two Grade 3 learners, aged seven and eight respectively, at the school.
Read: Cop investigating sexual abuse at Soweto school accused of molesting kids
This episode has sparked a huge trust issue. Trust has been violated on numerous occasions. Each time it has been adults who have failed children.
However, this recent scourge has been the most gross form of violation.
Law enforcement agencies are supposed to protect people but instead they have failed the children who needed protection. The themes of betrayal, trust and deceit have engulfed these children’s lives.
This will most certainly impact on their journey to healing.
It will now be more difficult or impossible for children to trust persons in positions of power or authority including the counsellors.
This has resulted in secondary trauma and victimisation of children.
How can these children trust again?
This also raises the screening measures of people working with children are they rigorous and adequate?
My response? Definitely not.
The role of the Teddy Bear Foundation now is to continue working with the school but also addressing debriefing of the school community (such as learners, educators and parents).
This is going to be a very difficult process but because we have established a relationship with the children since last year we will continue to support them and provide debriefing in light of the recent incident.
• Shaheda Omar is clinical director of the Teddy Bear Foundation
