Adults in Salima are increasingly targeting children instead of their age mates, as child sexual abuse cases continue to surge.
Officials say sexual abuse cases involving children under 18 have risen sharply from 19 in 2024 to 27 in 2025, raising fears that more victims may still be suffering in silence.
Alarmed by the spike, the district’s Child Care and Protection Committee has formed a special task force to investigate what is driving the cases and strengthen protection systems for vulnerable children.
The decision was made during a committee meeting where district officials reviewed child protection challenges affecting the district.
Salima District Child Protection Officer Edgar Kasiyafumbi said reported sexual abuse cases involving children under the age of 18 increased from 19 in 2024 to 27 in 2025.
According to Kasiyafumbi, the highest number of cases has been recorded in the area of Senior Chief Salima, followed by Traditional Authority Ndindi.
He said the district is also facing difficulties in efforts to remove children from the streets and reunite them with their families.
Kasiyafumbi noted that some community members oppose such interventions, citing Kaphatenga Market as one of the areas where authorities have encountered resistance.
However, he commended traders at Kamuzu Road Market for supporting initiatives aimed at helping street-connected children return to their homes.
On child marriage, Kasiyafumbi said progress has been made through partnerships with development organisations.
He praised the Salvation Army for facilitating the dissolution of 91 child marriages in the area of Senior Chief Khombedza and supporting the children’s return to school.
District records show that Salima registered 256 child marriage cases in 2025.
The newly formed task force is expected to assess the scale of child protection challenges in the district and recommend measures to strengthen prevention, response, and support services for vulnerable children.
