Sonke Gender Justice calls for urgent community investment in prevention strategies to combat the alarming rise of child perpetrators of sexual violence in South Africa, emphasising the critical role of Comprehensive Sexuality Education in fostering safer environments for children.
South Africa needs to invest more in prevention work at the community level to address a growing crisis in the country, where children are increasingly becoming perpetrators of sexual violence, says Sonke Gender Justice.
According to the non-profit organisation, which promotes equitable, healthy relationships among men, women, and youth alongside just and democratic societies, a collective effort is required to build safer spaces for children.
This responsibility falls upon families, educational institutions, community groups, religious leaders, and the government.
This comes after statistical records from the Department of Justice for the 2025/26 financial year revealed a deeply concerning trend: 890 rape cases were committed by children, while 22 cases were documented in which children were the perpetrators of statutory rape.
