Group urges church, traditional leaders to take tougher stand against rising child defilement cases

The Jesuit Centre for Theological Reflection (JCTR) has raised alarm over the escalating cases of child defilement in Zambia, urging the church and traditional leaders to take a firm stance against the crisis.

JCTR Child Safeguarding Officer, Gibson Chilyobwe, called on religious and community leaders to advocate for zero tolerance toward sexual violence and ensure those within their ranks who harm children are held accountable.

Speaking in a statement issued in Lusaka on Friday, Chilyobwe stressed that to regain public trust, faith-based and cultural leaders must demonstrate strong moral leadership in safeguarding children.

He noted that the increasing prevalence of child defilement reflects a failure of institutions, communities, and society to protect vulnerable children.

“The Bible underscores child-sensitive social protection in passages such as Psalm 72:4 and Deuteronomy 24:17-21,” Chilyobwe cited, emphasizing the moral obligation of religious leaders to champion child protection.

He lamented that spaces meant to nurture and protect children—such as homes, schools, and places of worship—had instead become danger zones, where children were being violated by trusted figures, including fathers, religious leaders, law enforcement officers, and community members.

“This devastating reality raises a critical question: Where, then, can our children truly be safe?” Chilyobwe asked.

Chilyobwe called for immediate and collective efforts from government institutions, law enforcement agencies, religious and community leaders, civil society, and families to combat the growing crisis.

He urged the government to strictly enforce child protection laws with swift and severe punishment for offenders.

Chilyobwe further called for enhanced public awareness on child safety and community responsibility.

He said government should prioritize child defilement cases through fast-track courts to ensure justice is swiftly served.

“Perpetrators of child sexual abuse must face immediate and severe punishment, without delays or leniency,” Chilyobwe insisted.

He stressed that the judiciary must prioritize cases of child defilement, ensuring that victims received timely justice and that offenders were held accountable without loopholes.

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