A drugged five-year-old girl with traumatic injuries is among 66 confirmed and 146 suspected cases of “non-accidental injuries” admitted to Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital from September 2019-2020.
“We see far too many cases of non-accidental injuries come through our doors,” said Red Cross medical manager Dr Anita Parbhoo on Thursday.
“A large number of child abuse cases that present to our hospital are linked to gender-based violence and intimate partner violence within their households.”
The girl, named S to protect her identity, was found crying alone on the floor of her house by a neighbour, who forced open a window to get inside. S was drowsy and her speech unclear, so the neighbour called for an ambulance.
“S was screened, tested and checked. The toxicology screen revealed that she was positive for methamphetamines, she had multiple bruising of different ages all over her body, she was underweight for her age, her teeth were rotten, her immunisations were not up to date, and she had three old rib fractures and one new skull fracture,” the hospital reported.
Her parents had abused drugs and violently abused the child, interviews with a social worker revealed. Her father had smacked and punched her and pushed her against the wall.
We see far too many cases of non-accidental injuries
“Her mother hit her head against the wall when she did not want to beg for food in the area where they lived. S also described how she was locked in the house after her parents smoked drugs or left her alone when they went out with friends,” the hospital reported.
Her parents had a history of domestic violence, where the father abused the mother if she could not get money for drugs. The mother was arrested but the father was not found.
“The maternal grandparents both died when the mother was young, and she was placed in foster care as no family was able to care for her. While in foster care, at the age of 16, she was raped by an unknown male.”
S has fully recovered after being removed from her home and placed in a child and youth care facility.
“Stories like these are far too common,” noted the hospital, whose staff are at the front line of caring for traumatically injured children.
“We need to step up our vigilance, we all need to raise our voices and report the perpetrators of violence and abuse (who are often men) and break the cycle of abuse.
“Please report all instances of abuse whenever they occur, even if it’s suspected, to your nearest SA Police Service station.”
SAPS crime statistics from April 2019 to March 2020 show 53,293 cases of sexual offences.
Police data also showed 38,656 “domestic related” crimes in that period as follows:
- Common assault: 21,344
- Assault with intention to do grievous bodily harm: 14,907
- Murder: 923
- Attempted murder: 1,482
One of the most common forms of violence against women and children is committed by intimate partners, Red Cross staff noted with the commemoration of 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children campaign which began on Wednesday.
For help or advice contact:
- GBV emergency line: 0800 428 428
- GBV “Please call me”: *120*7867
- Childline SA: 0800 055 555
