By OLIVER SAMBOKO
THE Ministry of Community Development and Social Service has taken over the welfare of Pamela Chisumpa and a dozen other girls who were abducted and kept hostage for months in Chalala and only
rescued by young mare neighbours.
Community Development and Social Services Minister, Doreen Mwamba has said following the completion of their medical examinations which they were undergoing to ascertain their health statuses and establish the extent of their sexual exploitation and abuse, Government has taken over
their welfare.
She said the young women aged between 17 and 28 were in good spirits and currently in the custody of the Department of Social Welfare which has provided a place of safety as mandated under the Anti-Gender Based Violence Act.
Ms Mwamba said the traumatic experience of the abductions had huge psychological
effects on the mental health of the survivors, hence the need to subject the young ladies to a trauma and psychosocial therapy in a place of safety as part of the healing process.
She said the case management processes which would be carried out by the social workers from the ministry alongside other professional psychologists from Chainama Hospital, would focus on psychological wellness and general welfare.
She stated that the families of the survivors have since been informed of the planned interventions and government had requested for more time with the survivors before they were eventually reintegrated
into the communities.
Meanwhile, Patriots for Economic Progress president Sean Tembo has expressed concern over Inspector General of police statement on the abduction of the 13 girls.
Mr Tembo said claims by the police that no other person’s came into contact with
the kidnapped girls other than the two boys is worrying.
He said it was worrying that Mr Kajoba was quick in issuing threats of arrest to anyone who asks questions about the kidnapping.
Pamela and others to undergo trauma and psychosocial therapy
