ANOTHER two children have been sexually assaulted, following a recent spate of child rapes in the Manenberg police precinct.

Police are on the hunt for a man wanted in connection with the molestation of a three-year-old girl, who told her mother that the predator who is known to the family touched her inappropriately.

“On Wednesday the toddler became ill and then revealed to her mother what had happened,” says Lieutenant Ian Bennett, Manenberg police spokesperson.

“She was taken to the doctor and a case of rape is being investigated.”

In a separate incident reported on Thursday, a man is wanted in connection with the sexual assault of two boys, aged five and six, who told their parents that their assailant had forced them to perform sexual acts while they played on a field at a Manenberg school.

These cases came to light shortly after People’s Post reported on a spate of child rapes where four minors aged one, six, seven and 15 were raped in Manenberg, Tambo Village and Vanguard Estate (“Young lives shattered,” 7 February).

In response, child protection organisation Safeline sprang into action to warn locals how to protect their children from sexual predators.

The child protection body, which was established in 1988 to help young victims of abuse in disadvantaged communities, recently partnered with Manenberg police to find ways to combat the scourge.

Rochelle Philander, Safeline’s director, says the programme will focus on giving children tips on abuse and what youngsters and their parents can do to protect themselves.

Veronica Fourie, a community worker at Safeline, says parenting workshops will take place in the community and will focus on educating parents on what sexual abuse is.

“They will learn what symptoms they should look out for and ways to better their relationship with their children to ensure they are the first to be told if any harm has been done to the child.

“The workshops will be open to all parents who want to attend.”

For the children, Safeline workers have a “holiday programme” which is held at libraries every school holiday.

“We teach them that they shouldn’t allow anyone to touch them inappropriately and that if this is done they should immediately tell an adult,” says Fourie.

There is also the foundation phase programme, which is specifically aimed at Grade R to Grade 3 scholars.

Social workers are present at all these programmes in case the children or parents want to report an incident.

The pilot project of these programmes was done in Mitchell’s Plain last year after it was established that many children had been sexually abused.

“It was successful and therefore we felt the need to roll it out in other areas which need assistance too,” Fourie adds.

For more information on the programmes that will be run in Manenberg, contact Safeline on (021)674 3851 and report any cases to Manenberg Police Station on (021)699 9400.