419. As noted in the CSAR, sexual harassment of the girl-child is prevalent. Early child marriages are usually seen as a way of handling issues of sexual abuse. Issues of domestic sexual abuse are taboo and not dealt with publicly. Some traditions emphasise that women have no voice or opinion. Commendably, some CSOs are attempting to raise awareness among women on these issues in an attempt to break the silence. 420. Stakeholders also reported that, in instances of divorce, especially in rural areas where customary norms are more strictly enforced, many women are left indigent, property is not divided equitably and they are sent away empty handed. Few are bold enough to report such cases to the Community Court. 421. Trafficking of women and children is a complex issue, because the women are deceived into trafficking for work purposes and are mistreated on arrival at their destination. Hence, as victims, they are harder to detect at border checkpoints and where corrupt customs agents are found, victims are that much more easily trafficked. Most victims are trafficked from rural to urban areas, or to South Africa or Zambia, where they are used as cheap forms of labour and for sexual gratification. According to customs officials, fewer adults than young persons are trafficked. Young girls are lured with promises of good jobs and scholarships. The government has passed the Law on the Trafficking of Persons, particularly women and girls. However, prosecution of this crime remains low, even where traffickers are apprehended. Domestic Violence 422. Currently, domestic violence is dealt with by means of criminal laws pertaining to assault and rape, which are inadequate to address the sociocultural aspects of the offence. The Law on Domestic Violence is yet to be passed by the Assembly. The lack of an appropriate legal framework, specifically for perpetrators of domestic violence, limits the sanction’s mechanisms. There is no compensation for victims of sexual violence. 423. The government’s response to domestic violence has included setting up special units focusing on violence against women. At police level, there are units that focus on women’s issues, including domestic violence. The CRM was informed that a proposal has been made to turn such units into separate and distinct police stations dealing with violence against women. However, the CRM also learnt that information dissemination about the work of these units is low, and that the units are under-resourced in terms of human and financial capacity. One female police officer reported to the CRM that their role is unappreciated by fellow officers, and that she is not getting promotion as a result of the low importance accorded to this unit. 147