Child abuse and neglect are serious issues in Namibia, as they are in many parts of the world.

During the festive season, incidents of child abuse such as physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, as well as neglect, tend to rise, posing long-lasting and damaging effects on the well-being and development of children.

In Namibia, efforts have been made to address child abuse and neglect through legislation and child protection services.

The Child Care and Protection Act of 2015, for example, provides a legal framework for the protection and care of children.

A 37-year-old former police officer who was convicted of murdering his two-and-a-half-year-old daughter in June 2020 has been sent to prison for 20 years.

Sydney Ikosa was also sentenced to a further six years for abuse and neglecting Joy Ikosa, now deceased, and six months for common assault of the same child.

The six years and six months of imprisonment have been ordered to run concurrently with 20 years of murder.