City Press reports that Minister in the Presidency Responsible for Women, Susan Shabangu, said on Saturday that schools, which were meant to be safe havens for children, were now high risk areas for them to be sexually abused by teachers and caretakers.  

During the launch of the 16 Days of Activism for no violence against women and children in Port Elizabeth, she stated:  "This year we have witnessed the worst and most shocking incidents of violence against women and children.  Schools, which used to be safe havens for our learners, have now become high risk areas for our... children because of some unscrupulous teachers and caretakers, who abuse them sexually.  Many boys have also become victims of sexual abuse."  Several Gauteng schools have recently been at the centre of sexual abuse and rape claims.  Shabangu said government was hard at work fighting violence and abuse through various measures.

• Read this report by Alex Mitchley in full at City Press

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