Child Refuge Botswana

        Child Refuge International (Botswana), is still in the visionary stage. The idea started with Bryant Skinner and Mark Taylor with Tyler & Elizabeth Jorgensen in 2008. What began as a "survey" visit by Mark and Bryant, ended in vision casting of Child Refuge International to reach out to sexually abused children in Botswana.

The Reality of Sexual Abuse in Botswana

 Sexual abuse is becoming more common-place around the world. Child pornography and pedophilia is becoming a rampant problem. Sexual abuse amongst children is a growing concern in Botswana. One authority indicated to us that about 80% of children are being, or have been, sexually abused. Others have advised us that this type of behaviour has become a common occurrence and even bears the mask of being "cultural". This type of"cultural" exposure to sexual misconduct is the reason for the high HIV/AIDS prevalence rate. Unless this behaviour is corrected, the pandemic will only get worse. Look at some of these statistics.

• The early age at which many students initiate sexual activity is 6-10 years of age.

• The youth are the most affected by HIV/AIDS. In the first quarter of 1996 the estimated number of infected youths accounted for 56% of the reported cases of HIV signs and symptoms (GoB, 1997).

• Results from surveys show that 15.3% of the primary school students (Grades 1-7) in selected schools are sexually active. This percentage increases with age. For secondary school students, more than 30% of students have had sex before compared to 34.2% of junior secondary school students. For senior secondary schools 55% of the students are sexually active while for the tertiary institutions 92.5% are sexually active.

• By the age of 19, females (80%) are more sexually active than males (67%).

• The myth that AIDS can be cured by having sex with a virgin exposes young girls to rape. Recent reports indicate children as young as 18 mos. of age have been raped.

• Gifts, money and promises of marriage lure teenage girls into sexual relationships that put them at risk.

• Poverty drives many mothers to force their young daughters into prostitution. This has become a regular occurrence in the village we live.

• There is need for intense sexuality education and programs promoting abstinence to be designed for younger people generally and for young women in particular.

• About 28,000 children aged 0-15 years were estimated to be living with HIV.

• The total number of people living with HIV/AIDS in Botswana today is nearly 300,000

 For more statistics visit our statistics page. click here