Episode 04: Protecting Our Children: A Conversation on Sexual Violence with Veronica Theron

In this emotionally charged episode of the Sex Talks Podcast, host Selma Ndasilohenda Iyambo sits down with Dr. Veronica Theron, a social worker and the Director of Health and Wellness at the #BeFree Youth Campus. Together, they address the urgent and heartbreaking issue of sexual violence against children in Namibia, a national crisis that often goes unheard and unspoken. Trigger Warning: This episode discusses child sexual abuse, which some listeners may find distressing. Please listen in a safe space, take breaks if needed, and seek support if necessary. For assistance, contact Lifeline/Childline Namibia at 116 or reach out to the #BeFree Youth Campus.Dr. Theron provides insight into the current trends and harsh realities surrounding child sexual abuse. She reveals the painful truth that in most cases, the perpetrators are not strangers but trusted individuals within the child's environment. The conversation explores the complexities of disclosure and justice, as well as how silence, stigma, and systemic failures continue to harm survivors.The episode also highlights the importance of education, supportive families, and community accountability. Pefimbo Shipunda, a Senior Social Worker at the One Economy Foundation, introduces the “Don’t Touch Me, I Will Report You” campaign launched by the foundation. This initiative empowers children to speak up and assert their right to safety in their own vernacular language and context.While this is not an easy conversation, it is a necessary one. By shedding light on the issue and offering tools for prevention and support, this episode calls on all of us to listen, believe survivors, and take action to protect every child.