The Swaziland Action Group Against Abuse recorded a total of 35 cases of sexual abuse involving young boys in 2025, highlighting what the organisation describes as a worrying trend that requires urgent national attention.
The organisation revealed that the cases were recorded between January and December 2025.
According to SWAGAA Executive Director Nonhlanhla Dlamini, while the issue of boys being sexually violated has recently gained public attention, it was not a new phenomenon to organisations working in the field of child protection.
Dlamini was reacting to remarks made by Thulisile Dladla, who recently warned men against sexually abusing young boys.
Dlamini said SWAGAA had been receiving and reporting such cases for years, indicating that the abuse of boys has long existed but often remains overlooked.
She explained that the 35 reported cases demonstrated that boys were also vulnerable to sexual violence and should not be excluded from discussions on child protection.
While many past efforts to combat sexual abuse have historically focused on protecting girls, Dlamini said there was an increasing need to ensure that boys were equally recognised as potential survivors.
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Dlamini further noted that the number of reported cases might not fully reflect the true extent of the problem.
Many boys remain reluctant to report abuse due to stigma, fear and societal expectations placed on males.
SWAGAA said cultural perceptions around masculinity often made it difficult for boys and men to speak openly about sexual violence, resulting in many cases going unreported.
As a result, the organisation called for continued awareness campaigns to educate communities about the reality that boys can also be victims of sexual abuse.
Dlamini stressed that encouraging boys and men to come forward and report abuse was a critical step in addressing the issue.
SWAGAA also emphasised the importance of creating safe spaces where male victims could report abuse without fear of judgement or ridicule.
According to Dlamini, raising awareness and strengthening reporting mechanisms would play a crucial role in ensuring that survivors receive the necessary support while perpetrators are held accountable.
