Supported by BASF SE

Cape Town, September 2007.  “You’re welcome” – with these words, the city government of Cape Town gave Power Child e.V. the green light for the association’s first international project. Power‑Child e.V. has now joined forces with the population and experts on the scene to build a campus for the protection of children and adolescents from sexual violence and for the fortification of their families.



Sexual Violence Against Children is Omnipresent in South Africa

In South Africa very many children and adolescents are threatened by sexual violence or have already been victimized by it. Recent studies have come up with some horrifying results: according to them, every third girl and every fifth boy has been sexually abused; sexual violence is an everyday occurrence. Even so, it continues to remain a taboo subject. And yet the sexual exploitation of girls and boys has increased even further over the past years. The primary cause of this is the ongoing spread of the AIDS epidemic.

The superstition persists among both men and women that children are less likely to become infected with the HIV virus, and that sexual intercourse with virgin children has purifying and healing effects. Sangomas, so-called “miracle healers”, recommend that HIV-infected men have intercourse with under-age virgins.
From the annual report of Terre des Hommes, 2002

The AIDS Epidemic has Devastating Consequences for Children

This superstition has devastating consequences: right now in southern Africa, 3.2 million children under the age of 15 are already HIV-positive, and the number is constantly on the rise.

Enlightenment, fortification and security – Power-Child e.V. has erected these three pillars to combat the destructive spiral of ignorance, superstition and violence. The concept: to approach the entire family with offers to mothers, fathers and children. This was how Power‑Child e.V. convinced the officials of the City of Cape Town. The city has placed a 3,000 square meter property at the disposal of Power-Child and looks forward to a meaningful collaboration with the association.