THE number of Indian children being beaten by their drunken fathers, starved, sexually violated and “sold” through prostitution, is steadily on the rise in Chatsworth, Phoenix, oThongathi (Tongaat) and Verulam.
And a failed social welfare system with inexperienced social workers and a lack of resources are exacerbating the problem, community gender-based activists warn.
In some instances, abused children are also being placed back in the care of their alleged abusers.
Cookie Edwards, director