Namibian Police Force Deputy Chief Inspector, Christiana Simaho of the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) investigations unit at the Katutura State Hospital said that poor discipline plays a big role in the behavioural issues in the youth today.

In an interview with Nampa on Monday, Simaho said that parents do not know what methods to use to discipline their kids and that often, children report parents as being abusive when they are disciplined.

“Parents are not aware of the different ways in which to discipline their children besides to punish them,” Simaho said.

She added that there are prescribed ways to discipline children, for example taking away devices, limiting screen time and not giving pocket money.

In the same vein, Simaho also expressed concern about the rising number of female perpetrators in the Khomas Region.

“Girls are becoming gangsters. They shoplift and commit assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm,” Simaho stressed.

In conjunction with her sentiments, the monthly statistics from the GBV unit at Katutura State Hospital indicated that the number of female perpetrators increased from 17 in November 2022 to 31 in December 2022.

According to the statistics, the highest recorded crime amongst females during this period was assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency