In August 2021, a six-year-old grade one learner in South Africa was raped, allegedly by a general worker in her school’s toilet. Public shock and outrage at the ongoing onslaught against children has brought renewed attention to young girls’ particular vulnerability to sexual violence.

Deevia Bhana, Professor in Gender and Childhood Sexuality, University of KwaZulu-Natal speaks to Kwena Moabelo.