WOMEN and Men Against Child Abuse on Wednesday reiterated its call for a register of child sex offenders. It said in a statement the register would help protect children as many abusers gained access to minors through careers that involved working closely with children. They were commenting after the recent court appearance of 27-year-old Allan Kock, a former choirmaster of the Christian Brothers College, who allegedly indecently assaulted several boys between the ages of 12 and 13. The organisation said: ”We would also like to see the Department of Education providing on a national scale, child abuse awareness campaigns in all schools throughout the country.” It said it was concerned that Kock’s release on bail would adversely affect the children involved. It would monitor the case, at the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court, especially the manner in which the children testifying were handled by the defence attorney and other court personnel. The government earlier stated that it was not opposed to the idea of a register of sex offenders, among other steps such as a new legal definition of rape and better legal protection for children, in light of the current escalation of in child rape and unacceptable levels of adult rape. – Sapa