Probe launched into alleged sexual assault of child at Garlandale Primary School
Garlandale Primary School has become the focus of a police investigation following the alleged sexual assault of an 8-year-old learner.
Image: Supplied
A Cape Town family is grappling with shock and trauma after discovering that their 8-year-old son was allegedly sexually assaulted by a fellow pupil in the bathroom at Garlandale Primary School.
Police confirmed the case was under investigation.
Police spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said. “This office can confirm that the mentioned incident is a sexual assault case registered at Athlone SAPS for investigation. Investigations continues, no arrest as yet.”
According to the parents of the grade two pupil, they received a call from the teacher on the afternoon of Tuesday, September, 16 that something very sensitive had happened but she did not say what had happened, which left them concerned.
The teacher just told them they needed to come to school the following day.
The mother said: “It took quite a while for him to let us know what happened. We were having dinner. Eventually, he felt safe enough to say what happened to him.”
The child said he was dragged into the bathroom, hit on the head, and forced to pull down his pants.
His screams for help were eventually heard by another pupil, who ran to alert a teacher. However, when the child explained what happened, the teacher allegedly did not believe him.
The father added: “Then from there [after they found out], we were fuming.
“I contacted my lawyer who advised us to go to the police station immediately. From there we were sent to the GBV clinic that was around 11pm at night. They examined the child.”
They added that nurses at the clinic were also in shock and stressed the urgency of acting quickly due to the risk of sexually transmitted infections.
The parents say after they learned what had really happened they tried to call the teacher.
The father added: “The teacher was fully aware but told us absolutely nothing. She was insisting we have a meeting with the other parent and the boy the next day, as if this was just another case of bullying.”
“It is negligence of the school not to inform us about exactly what happened immediately and how they are treating it. No level of urgency, they showed no empathy, it’s just been like nothing this serious happened at their school. We feel they don't care.”
The parents were at school the next morning only to be told they could not be seen until the afternoon. When they eventually got to speak to the principal, she just said she would investigate.
The family are expected to meet with police and a social worker this week.
The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) confirmed an incident happened but said the school followed the necessary protocols.
WCED spokesperson, Bronagh Hammond said: “The school has reported that witness evidence and security footage do not support the claims. SAPS is currently investigating.
“The claim that the learner was dragged into a bathroom is not supported by the evidence.
“The school followed all the necessary protocols and counselling support will be provided.”
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