Police personnel trained to curb child sexual exploitation, trafficking

Feb 01, 2015

Police officers in Rubaga division have been trained to actively participate in curbing sexual crimes that have become rampant in Kampala.


By Vivian Agaba & Sharon Dora Namara

KAMPALA - Police officers in Rubaga division have been trained to actively participate in curbing sexual crimes that have become rampant in Kampala.

The men of the uniform were equipped them with knowledge on existing laws and regulations on sexual exploitation and prevention of child trafficking for sexual purposes.

They were also informed about the appropriate assistance given to survivors of such crimes, including strengthening the collaborations for referrals, response to cases of sexual exploitation and child trafficking. 

Anna Nabulya, the deputy executive director, Uganda Youth Development Link (UYDEL) advised the police personnel against releasing girls arrested for engaging in commercial sex.

“Arresting and releasing them back into the same environment does not address their needs or reasons why they are there. When you get such girls, refer them to us for needs’ based approach.”

The one-day training took place at Inter-Tropics Hotel in Nakulabye, a Kampala suburb and was organized by UYDEL.

In her delivery, Nabulya pointed out that the organization has rehabilitation centres in Wakiso, Kampala and Mukono districts which provide vocational skills including tailoring, hairdressing and electronics to such girls.

She also asked the police to partner with them (UYDEL) and actively participate in curbing the vice and also refer the victims to organizations that deal with young people in situations of such desperation.

It is understood plans are underway to train police officers from other divisions as well.
 


The regional police commander of Kampala North, Wesley Nganizi (R) called for cooperation. (Photo credit: Vivian Agaba)


‘Vice is real’

Police was also asked to pass on information about the dangers of child trafficking and child sexual exploitation during their community policing work.

Poverty, family breakdown, peer pressure and need to make quick money have long been thought to drive girls into commercial sex and child labour.

The regional police commander of Kampala North, Wesley Nganizi said that among the crimes they deal with, sexually related crimes are the most common, with victims being mostly young people. 

“The vice is real and taking place.  As police officers, let us work together with other stakeholders to actively use the measures in place to address it so as to safeguard the future generation,” he said.

The police boss asked the trained police officers to put into practice what they had learnt and share their newly acquired knowledge and skills with other police officers from other stations for the betterment of the society.

Nganizi did not stop at that. He also called upon church leaders, civil society organizations, and local leaders to intensify public sensitization on the dangers of child trafficking and  commercial sex especially on young girls, which he said some people do out of ignorance.

Statistics

According to a survey carried out by UYDEL in 2011, a total of 18,000 young girls and women were forced into commercial sex work in Kampala’s slums.

Preliminary findings of a Crane Survey carried out in 2013 indicate that 35,000 young people engaged in commercial sex work.

About 90% of the young people forced into commercial sex work are females between ages of 13-24 years engage in commercial sex in Kawempe and Rubaga divisions, while 37% amongst them do backstreet abortions and have maternal health disorders.
 

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