MOILA –A rally, which was held to highlight children and women's rights, especially where abuse is involved, opened the eyes of some victims, who subsequently reported their cases to the police.

The Police Liaison Officer, Insp Phillip Morolo, said the rally was attended by a large crowd of women and pupils. Many learnt for the first time about their rights as members of their communities. They were informed that no one has the right to assault or molest them physically or emotionally.

They welcomed the message with great enthusiasm. Shortly after the rally, a 15-year-old girl went to the police and revealed how her father had allegedly sexual molested her. She told them that she stayed with her father and her brother and her sister, since her mother is staying elsewhere, after separating from her father.

The police heard how her father allegedly ordered her to go inside a room, locked the door and told her to undress. He had sexual intercourse with her.

The man was arrested immediately and charged with rape.

In another alleged rape case, a 12-year-old girl also reported how she had been sexually molested by a 17-year-old. He allegedly forced the girl to a veld outside the village and once they were alone they had intercourse without her consent. The youth was arrested immediately and appeared in court. The case was postponed to a later date.

Insp Morolo stated that the police are looking for members of the community to come forward and report more cases of this nature. He said that after attending the rally, most women and children vowed to take offenders to the police and not to fear any intimidation any longer, as had been the case in the past.