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| Zimbabwe child sexual abuse alert | Zimbabwe child sexual abuse alert |
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| Statistics at a clinic giving free treatment for sexually-abused children in Zimbabwe have revealed an alarming level of sexual abuse. | Statistics at a clinic giving free treatment for sexually-abused children in Zimbabwe have revealed an alarming level of sexual abuse. |
| The Family Support Trust says nearly 30,000 children have been treated at the Harare clinic after being sexually abused during the past four years. | |
| Doctors say there could be many more who suffer in silence. | Doctors say there could be many more who suffer in silence. |
| Experts say the high rate of abuse is partly due to harsh economic conditions in the country during the past decade. | Experts say the high rate of abuse is partly due to harsh economic conditions in the country during the past decade. |
| Millions have gone abroad in search of work, leaving behind their children, who then fall victim to friends and relatives. | Millions have gone abroad in search of work, leaving behind their children, who then fall victim to friends and relatives. |
| The Family Support Trust, set up at the country's major referral hospital in Harare, has recorded about 29,000 cases of sexually-abused children during the past four years, and about 70,000 during the past 10 years, in the capital city alone. | The Family Support Trust, set up at the country's major referral hospital in Harare, has recorded about 29,000 cases of sexually-abused children during the past four years, and about 70,000 during the past 10 years, in the capital city alone. |
| But doctors say this might be just the tip of the iceberg. They believe many parents are not bringing their children forward for fear of stigmatisation. | But doctors say this might be just the tip of the iceberg. They believe many parents are not bringing their children forward for fear of stigmatisation. |
| Others are unaware that support services exist and are free, doctors say. | Others are unaware that support services exist and are free, doctors say. |