Today I've had a discussion with my mother about child abuse. I know this is a hard issue but we women we tend to discuss this often. We do it not because it is some sort of gossip material but because it really affects us. My mum is a mother and I am going to be a mother in what I can call a quasi near future. So we've got to discuss about those issues.

In fact the conversation was about the legalisation of sodomy in Mauritius at first. But then we started talking about how sodomy in a rape case is treated as an offense on its own. If there was vaginal rape and sodomy, the rapist will be charged with two offenses. But what if sodomy was legalised? The rapist would get away with I think less than 20 years of prison. So we moved on and started talking about how even though sodomy within a couple is illegal some people still practice it and it is obvious that they are not going to willingly denounce themselves.

And then we moved on to talking about how those cases happen to children within their own houses.How step fathers and sometimes even fathers commit acts of sexual violence towards their children. Lucky are those who have had the privilege of being born to responsible, caring and intelligent persons. Lucky are also those who have found the right mate. The one whom they could trust as a partner and co-parent.

Marriage, as well as cohabitation and eventually procreation are matters that should be thought about considerably before deciding to go for it. A life partner should not just be chosen on the basis of sexual gratification and misinterpreted feelings.

Lastly, a mother who has a bad living condition whether it is by living a promiscuous life or being poor, unmarried, unemployed should not in addition add a child to her problems. I know for these persons birth control can be out of reach, especially because of financial and religious restraints but some efforts could be done.