Today we are tackling one of the most difficult and sensitive subjects to talk about. Unfortunately South Africa is known for its extremely high rate of sexual abuse, especially in townships like Khayelitsha. Children with disabilities run even a greater risk of being abused because of their perceived vulnerability and inability to defend themselves. It is no surprise that in previous sessions this came to light as a major concern for the participating mothers. In addition, topics such as alcoholism, crime and domestic violence invade our conversations regularly.

As it seems pertinent to discuss these issues in greater detail, but considering my non psycho-social background, we decide to bring in an expert to lead this session. This morning Mrs. Sadiku from the Thuthuzela Care Centre in Khayelitsha guides us through the emotional, frustrating and sometimes utterly devastating process of acknowledging past and present experiences and worries for the future. The much acclaimed centres of Thuthuzela, which stands for ‘comfort’ in the Xhosa language, ‘aim to reduce secondary trauma for the victim, improve perpetrator conviction rates and reduce the lead time for finalising cases’ (see http://www.unicef.org/southafrica/hiv_aids_998.html). Their knowledge about all forms of (sexual) abuse and aftercare is tremendous, and their impact in South African communities significant. We are very lucky to have Mrs. Sadiku with us today.

During the session, each mother is provided ample time to tell about her experiences, her questions and her worries in a group conversation. The stories stir up emotions in all of us. Mrs. Sadiku carefully answers all questions, comforts the women, and provides referral information and practical advice. She goes on to explain the risks of sexual abuse, how to recognize occurred abuse of your child, and how to act in such a situation. Though prevention is easier said than done, Mrs. Sadiku does make some valid points on prevention which seem to resonate with the mothers.

It is humbling and encouraging to see how these women, in such a short time, have fostered an intimate connection with each other to be able to discuss such a sensitive subject. This form of trust will prove essential in the near future when the group will work towards actively tackling such issues.