As an organization (Women Waging War) dedicated to addressing women's issues, we are compelled to bring this issue to light. 

Sexual assault is an egregious violation that no person should ever have to endure, especially not within the supposed safety of their educational institution. Yet, it's happening right here in our communities. The lack of transparency and accountability surrounding these child rape cases is deeply troubling.

In South Africa, it is estimated that over 40% of women will be raped in their lifetime but only 1 out of 9 rapes are reported (South African Medical Research Council). This means that countless victims remain silent and countless perpetrators go unpunished.

We need to break this silence. We demand full transparency from all public schools within Kimberley and the Northern Cape regarding sexual assault cases involving school staff members or government officials. This petition is about Women's Rights and We call for the following: 

• The Northern Cape Department of Education to produce a Police Clearance Certificate for Mr. Thomas Van Staden who is the Chief Director of Human Resources within the department.

We believe it's high time for change. It is crucial that victims feel safe enough to report these incidents without fear of retaliation or stigmatization. For the children to be protected in schools we need the following to be in place:

•  Occurrence book reporting of sexual assault incidents to be mandatory policy.
• Counseling services are to be provided for the affected girl child and families.

It's time we take action against sexual violence in our schools and ensure the safety and well-being of all girl child students. By signing this petition, you are supporting our fight against sexual violence in schools in Kimberley, Northern Cape, and helping us ensure justice for all victims. Your signature can make a difference - let's create safer learning environments for our girl children together!