The family of an eight-year-old girl in South Africa has accused authorities of failing to provide adequate support after the child was allegedly sexually assaulted by a school security guard, saying they were left to navigate the medical, psychological and criminal justice systems on their own.
The incident allegedly occurred in April at Kiasha Park Primary School in Lenasia South, Gauteng. According to the girl’s grandparents, they became concerned after noticing drastic changes in her behaviour. The Grade Three pupil reportedly stopped speaking normally, cried frequently and became fearful of returning to school.
The family said they reported the matter to the school after the child allegedly screamed and ran away upon seeing the security guard. The suspect later appeared in court on charges of sexual assault in May, but the case was referred back to police for further investigation. Meanwhile, the family claims the security guard returned to work at the school, prompting them to withdraw the child and enrol her in another school.
According to the grandparents, they initially sought treatment from a private doctor before taking the child to a public health facility for a forensic examination. They also opened a criminal case with police but said they received little guidance on what support should follow.
The child’s grandmother alleged that neither the school nor the Gauteng Department of Education provided psychosocial support or updates on the case, forcing the family to seek help independently from the Teddy Bear Clinic, a child protection organisation.
The Teddy Bear Clinic confirmed that the child underwent a forensic assessment in June and has since been receiving therapy and court preparation. Chief Executive Dr Shaheda Omar stressed the importance of ensuring children who experience sexual violence receive immediate counselling and are protected from further trauma, particularly if they remain in the same school environment. She also noted that financial hardship often prevents families from accessing ongoing therapy.
Responding to the allegations, the Gauteng Department of Health said every child presenting at the province’s Clinical Forensic Medicine Centres or Thuthuzela Care Centres should receive immediate trauma support and referral to social workers for continued counselling and medical care.
The Gauteng Department of Education confirmed that the suspect was arrested in May but later released after police found the available evidence, including CCTV footage, to be inconclusive. The department said the security guard was reassigned to night duty with no direct contact with learners while investigations continue. It also maintained that the learner had been referred to the Teddy Bear Clinic by police and that its psychosocial support team had been deployed to the school, while an internal investigation remains ongoing.
However, the family disputed the department’s account, insisting they received no meaningful guidance or updates and had to approach the Teddy Bear Clinic on their own. They also said they remain uncertain about the progress of the criminal investigation months after the alleged assault.
The case has renewed concerns about the treatment of child survivors of sexual violence in South Africa. According to Africa Check’s analysis of South African Police Service statistics, more than 22,000 sexual offences against children under the age of 18 were reported during the 2024/25 financial year—an average of about 60 cases each day. Legal experts say many families struggle to understand their rights and navigate the justice system after reporting abuse, highlighting the need for dedicated support coordinators for child survivors.
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