Thousands of students of all colleges and educational institutions of Rodrigues marched through the streets of Port Mathurin on 13th August to protest against sexual predators, child abuse, teenage pregnancy and all kinds of sexual abuse, in response to the sexual scandal of pedophilia and child pornography which has been making the headlines on the island for two weeks. All along their walk from Camp Du Roi to Baie Lascar, they shouted slogans such as ‘we don’t want pedophilia’, ‘we don’t want pornography’, ‘we don’t want abuse’, ‘protect our children’. Politicians of different political parties participated in this march, during which the students were cheered by the public, gathered alongside the streets. They were even congratulated by the schoolchildren of ‘Basile Allas Governement School’, which proves the social impact of this event. The students performed slams and songs to express their refusal of sexual abuse of all kinds. « Zero tolerance », they said. A minute of silence was observed in solidarity with the victims. The participants say they are well aware of what is going on actually in the island. This is why they have decided to stand up as one and say no.
This event, an initiative of the ‘Rodrigues College’, has brought together students of all colleges. Other NGOs such as ‘HERS’, ‘Dis-Moi’, ‘Carrefour’, ‘Rodrigues Regional Youth Council’, ‘RGEA’, ‘Befrienders’, and many others also joined in. Christian Leopold, a member of the organising team, said that the message is quite clear.
Nan-Rock Perrine, the Rector of the ‘Rodrigues College’, pointed out the importance to mobilize for two causes. Firstly, to refuse pedophilia which is disgusting and revolting, which destroys children’s future, and secondly to say no to teenage pregnancy.
As for Franchette Gaspard Pierre Louis, the Commissioner for Children and Family Affairs, she stated that ‘we have to unite together to say no to all kinds of scourges which are threatening our youth, especially child pornography and teenage pregnancy’. She has special thoughts for all known and not yet known victims, and those who are suffering silently since so long, including adult victims.
