Police in Mulanje have expressed worry over the rise in defilement cases.

This is according to Mulanje Police Public  Relations Officer Gracium Ngwira who told YFM online that,55 cases of defilement have been recorded this far compared to 50 cases recorded the same period  last year.

Ngwira said it is unfortunate that child abuse cases continue to reach alarming levels.

He therefore called for collaboration from all stakeholders in order to reduce such cases.

He cited Youth Net and counseling,the court as some of the stakeholders that are working tirelessly to bring justice to victimized children.

“We appreciate the coordination that is there between Civil Society organisations such as Youth Net and Counselling as well as the court,” said Ngwira.

He urged people in the district to be open and report defilement and other child abuse cases to the victim support unit at the police so that appropriate action can be taken.

“The culture of silence is making a lot of people suffer,for instance if a man defiles his step daughter women do not report such a case for fear of losing the marriage and financial support, since in most circumstances men are breadwinners,”he added.

Ngwira also mentioned  crime prevention awareness meetings as one of the interventions that police has taken to sensitize people on the dangers of GBV and child abuse.