With the theme for Child Protection Week 2024 being “Every conversation matters, every child in every community needs a fair go” community leaders say more needs to be done to protect children.

National Child Protection Week is commemorated from May 29 to June 5 annually to raise awareness of the rights of children as articulated in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and Children's Act (Act No. 38 of 2005).

Even though South Africa has many regulations and laws in place to safeguard and prevent crime against children, the incidences of crime against children remain high.

On Thursday June 6, Mitchell’s Plain Community Health Centre (MPCHC) hosted their Child Protection Week programme at their premises, while Safeline Child Abuse Treatment and Prevention Centre held their annual prayer ceremony for Child Protection Week at Christ the Mediator Anglican Church in Portland.

Caption Ian Bennett from Manenberg SAPS and station commander of Mitchell’s Plain SAPS Brigadier Mark Hartzenberg lighting a candle for families of victims of child abuse.

The staff of Safeline Child Abuse Treatment and Prevention Centre at their prayer ceremony on Thursday June 6 at Christ the Mediator Anglican Church.

From left are Taslynn De Wee, community worker for Safeline, Helena Martin community work supervisor, and Georgia Human from Mizpah Educare.

René Daniels, social worker at MPCHC said even though we’re aware of children’s rights, they’re still being violated.

From left are René Daniels, social worker at Mitchell’s Plain Community Health Centre (MPCHC) and Phetego Mabelo, legal practitioner, from Legal Aid SA at their Child Protection Week event on Thursday June 6.

Every child doesn't have a “fair go” especially due to socio-economic challenges. Their position in society may change but only once synergy is created by organisations in this sphere, she said. Early intervention and support to create awareness must be done.

“We need to encourage and guide parents to take up their parental duties to reduce these risks and factors,” she said.

“We often play around with the statement that ‘my child is your child’ but how relevant is this statement today? Communities need to have a mindset with a sense of responsibility for breaking down the culture of abuse and believing we all have internal resources to protect our own as well as my neighbour’s child,” said Ms Daniels.

MPCHC will continue to stand up for the rights of children in granting them access to medical care, and to report any cases of abuse to the Department of Social Development, SAPS and the National Prosecuting Authority of South Africa.

Veranique Williams, deputy chairperson of Mitchell’s Plain CPF, founder of Faith and Hope Missing Persons, told the Plainsman on Monday June 10, that keeping children safe is also a responsibility of the whole community.

“Our justice system fails children and survivors. When a child goes missing, proper resources must be accessed immediately, such as SAPS and Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Units (FCS). We cannot wait 24 hours, the first hour is crucial when a child goes missing as there is no waiting period,” she said.

A child must be a child but they’re affected by poverty, lack of proper education and sufficient care in underprivileged communities. Children must be the first priority in communities, she said.

Linda Jones, court representative and member of Mitchell’s Plain United Residents’ Association (MURA) said on Wednesday June 6 at the MPCHC event, that Child Protection Week awareness should be observed everyday.

At times, courts are not very conducive to the young, cases are serious and they may encounter their perpetrator. However court officials try hard to have young victims in separate rooms to protect them, she said.

Families find it challenging with their cases especially if the perpetrator is a family member. “I encourage them not to withdraw a case. There shouldn’t be leniency shown by courts, crimes against children shouldn’t be tolerated,” said Ms Jones.

“We should not let our guards down; this must be a gospel that we should spread daily. Our children are our future, what kind of future do we envision with the trend that we are faced with?”

Director of Safeline, Rochelle Philander said at the prayer ceremony, they’ve been serving the community through therapeutic counselling for children aged 2 to 18 for 30 years.

Helena Martin, community work supervisor and director of Safeline Child Abuse Treatment and Prevention Centre, Rochelle Philander and Sub-council 12 chairperson, Solomon Philander at the prayer ceremony.

They’ve still found many children and adults do not report sexual child abuse cases due to fear of not being believed, the status of the perpetrator in the community, fear of humiliation and being blamed, to name a few.

Communities are encouraged to become knowledgeable of services available and how to report sexual abuse. Teachers should familiarise themselves with reporting procedures in schools. Organisations and the justice system need to find better ways to hear a child’s voice in telling their story, “they must speak out until someone listens,” said Ms Philander.

Mizpah Educare Centre in Beacon Valley sang the national anthem at the prayer ceremony on Thursday June 6.

For more information or if you need help contact Safeline on their toll-free number, 08000 35553 or contact SAPS on 08600 10111 or visit your nearest clinic for medical assistance.

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