(Please note: donations on this page DO NOT go to the Bhambayi Project. Our bank details are at on our website www.bhambayiproject.co.za should you wish to support financially).

Every 20 minutes a child is sexually abused in South Africa, according to official cases. However, the reality is more like every 2 minutes as children stay silent out of fear and shame. Both boys and girls form part of the horrifying statistics, with victims as young as 6 months reported.  Child rape is South Africa's hidden pandemic.

It is virtually impossible to get rapists arrested, and, even then, the Bhambayi Project’s experience is that they are released on bail within 1 month of arrest. If the rapist rapes again, arrest is unlikely. 

Justice, police, child welfare and other structures are failing our children. 

The Bhambayi Project’s interaction with the system paints this sobering picture: Rapists are more protected than our children.

Please see our Child Protection Week video clip to understand more: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rL0Asb-K8lU

BUT… you can help bring change this child protection week by signing our petition. This will be handed over to leadership in both the justice system and the SAPS at the Ntuzuma Magistrate Court at 2:30pm on 2 June, 2023.

Child rape is a Schedule 6 offense but, in reality, our experience is that it is not being treated as such. We have 7 child protection demands from the police and the justice system to help protect our children and to ensure the voice of the child is heard. (Detailed descriptions of these demands are on the Bhambayi Project website)

1. Arrest of identified rapists within 24 hours.

2. The Investigating Officer to give evidence at bail hearings including written statement from the child/ representative. Bail only given in extreme circumstances and no bail for repeat offenders.

3. The child’s representative to be given notification of bail and court hearings and copy of the bail conditions, should bail be granted.

4. An investigating officer always available for the child’s representative.

5. All investigations at the district court to be completed within 4 months.

6. Agree a safe way for people to report a person breaking bail conditions.

7. The Magistrate’s Commission to investigate the cases of accused child rapists being let out on bail for the last 12 months and produce a report.

The fight to protect our children starts today!

(For more information about the Bhambayi Project go to www.bhambayiproject.co.za or find us on Instagram or Facebook).