Kaviveterue Virere

Clinical psychologist Shaun Whittaker has condemned the rising cases of fathers raping their own children in Namibia.

He described such acts as “national emergencies” and “one of the most disturbing forms of violence imaginable.”

In an interview with New Era, Whittaker said there is a total breakdown of morals, trust and humanity when a parent whose duty it is to love, protect and guide becomes a sexual abuser. 

He said, “As a father, it is your duty to protect your child and raise them in a loving manner, not to sexually abuse them. This is a serious and terrible betrayal of trust. It cannot be justified in any way.”

He said that such behaviour reveals significant psychological and societal problems that go beyond simple criminality. 

“We are dealing with people who lack empathy, guilt and moral reasoning, as well as people who have narcissistic or antisocial personalities. For many perpetrators, this kind of violence is not about sexual desire but about power, control and dominance,” he said.

Whittaker attributed the problem to patriarchal ideologies that promote male entitlement and superiority. 

He claimed that patriarchy teaches men to believe they have authority over women, children and their families. 

“A dangerous sense of ownership over others is created when this belief is distorted, and it can result in abuse,” Whittaker said.

He went on to say that these kinds of crimes frequently take place in remote areas, such as farms, where offenders operate unnoticed or out of fear of being discovered. 

“These acts are frequently hidden, taking place in spaces where families are isolated and community accountability is weak,” Whittaker said. 

“Alcohol and drug abuse often play a major role in creating conditions for such crimes,” he stated.

Whittaker said victims of parental rape suffer severe and long-lasting psychological harm. 

Survivors frequently experience trauma, anxiety, guilt and difficulties in establishing positive relationships.

“This is among the most profound traumas that an individual can encounter,” he stated. 

For the rest of their lives, victims bear the pain. 

He said, the healing process – long-term therapy and emotional support are necessary.

He argued that comprehensive sex education in schools, which teaches kids about their rights and body autonomy, should be the first step in prevention. 

According to him, “children must understand that no one, not even a parent, has the right to touch them inappropriately. They need to be inspired to speak up and assured that their opinions will be taken seriously.”

Whittaker called on parents and guardians to remain vigilant for signs of abuse. 

“If a child suddenly refuses to visit a relative or a specific place, or shows fear around a family member, that must be taken seriously,” he said. 

Children frequently use their actions, rather than their words to communicate their distress. We must pay attention to them,” he advised.

“We must address the humiliation, the silence and the systems that let these crimes to go unpunished. Our culture must treat a parent who rapes his child as having committed the most terrible betrayal,” he said.