JOHANNESBURG - A culture of silence is killing local communities.
Too many people choose to look the other way when they see abuse, and when they finally speak out, it’s often too late.
In a recent case, a relative recorded a four-year-old girl's cries on video in Eldorado Park.
Her father was allegedly sexually and physically abusing her.
Police arrived at the scene and she was rushed to hospital but her injuries were too extensive and she later died.
The community knew about little Nikita's abuse, but many chose to stay silent.
A relative filmed a video, which is too graphic to unmute, in it, the four-year-old screamed and sobbed as she was beaten behind closed doors.
A well-worn pattern in cases of gender-based violence, child abuse, and crime where communities close ranks, many stay silent, and only react when tragedy strikes.
Dr Shaheda Omar from the Teddy Bear Clinic said, "The ethos of protection and community caring, unfortunately, has dissipated. The spirit of Ubuntu where your child is my child. It’s become the typical M.Y.O.B syndrome. Mind your own business.”
Experts believe it’s also a lack of trust.
Child Counselling Centre's Claudine Ribeiro said, "I think people have seen over the years that the whole justice system, in some cases, is not effective."
"And they don’t always see the police arriving to deal with matters of family violence or domestic abuse. They don’t always see systems as helping them. So they become disillusioned with systems that are there, that are meant to protect them.”
Every South African has a legal duty to report suspected child abuse.
Dr Omar explained, "One needs to understand that there are pieces of legislation, so with regard to children, the Children’s Act certainly speaks to reporting abuse. It’s not a moral obligation; it’s a legal obligation.”
Every cry ignored. Every bruise overlooked. It all adds up - until it costs someone their life.