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Raped girl 'was left for dead'
30/06/2006 21:21 - (SA)
Llewellyn Prince, Die Burger
Cape Town - The story of a 10-year-old girl from Kuilsriver, who was cruelly raped and assaulted in her parents' home, should be used to stop violence against children.
This was the wish of the family and friends of the girl, who turned 10 on Friday, at her birthday party at her their home in Sarepta.
A party atmosphere prevailed where the relaxed girl spent time with her friends.
The girl's grandmother, whose name was being withheld to protect the child's identity, said "physically she is healing well, but it will take a while for her to heal psychologically."
Left for dead
The grandmother earlier told Die Burger how she had found her bloodied granddaughter, who was alone in their flat on Ascension Day.
"The bathroom was covered in blood. She was lying naked on the bed in my room. There was a hole in her head and scratch marks on her bloodied face. Her eyes were swollen shut."
She was treated in a local hospital for a month where doctors considered doing a hysterectomy. She had suffered tremendous internal injuries. A newspaper headline, "Left for dead", was left next to her body.
According to the grandmother, the girl's headmaster visited their home on Friday to tell them not to rush the girl back to school. Her schoolwork would be sent to their home.
"She doesn't talk about the incident, probably because she knows her attacker is still at large. We are going for counselling."
The family thanked the different communities for their prayers, support and gifts, and asked them to continue praying for her emotional healing.
The child's uncle said the girl was still very scared. "We are not holding a grudge, but we are calling on the monster to hand himself over to prevent more children from falling prey to him.
"We thank the Lord for healing her physically. As a nine-year-old she fought back well, but the scars will always remain."
Dawn Roode, co-ordinator of a victim support organisation at the Kuilsriver police station, said she and Magrieta Galant, a colleague, have been involved from the first day, and would continue to help the child and her family as long as necessary.
"We are dedicating this weekend to the protection of and respect for children. Something good must come out of her story. It has already brought together people from all denominations. What happened to her should not happen to other children as well. God has a plan with her. This was the second time it has happened to her, and she again survived after being left for dead."
- Die Burger
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