Local Club seeks to reach out to sexually abused children
GRAAFF-REINET — After one of the Lions’ members met with Captain Wena Theron, head of the Police Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit in Graaff-reinet, it was decided at the monthly Lions’ Club meeting, to organise Comfort Boxes for molested girls and boys who fall under the aegis of the Unit.
The purpose of the boxes is practical and psychological.
Many of the children are hungry when they are interviewed by the police and so the box will contain snacks. The child’s underpants may be needed by the police for forensic tests and evidence, so a pair of new panties /underpants will be part of the contents.
Physically and psychologically the child may feel like a wash after the interview and possible medical investigation so the box will also contain a flannel, soap and a toothbrush and small tube of toothpaste. To such children, a toy to play with may help the child emotionally and a small doll or toy motor car will be included.
The idea was inspired by a talk heard by a Lions’ member some months ago given by the founder member of such an outreach in the Western Cape at The Church of The Good Shepherd near Kirstenbosch in Cape Town.
The Cape Town organization packs thousands of boxes monthly for such victims in the metropole and Boland.
The area which is served by the local family unit embraces Graaff-reinet, Aberdeen, Pearston and Somerset East. Although cases may be greatly under-reported to the police, the local unit dealt with 32 cases between February and September 2017 inclusive. Obviously, this is 32 cases too many. The great majority of victims are small girls.
The Graaff-reinet Lions plan to collect the items for 50 boxes per annum which will be issued by the investigating officer at the Family Unit. They would like to involve the public of Graaff-reinet and the surrounding towns through donations.
Items needed are:
Empty 2-litre plastic ice cream cartons; A small knitted/sewn dolly or teddy bear not more than 21 centimetres in height; or
A small car no longer than 10 centimetres; Assorted lunch/snack bars, preferably low GI, worth about R7 – R10 each;
A small packet of instant noodles, about R4; A small packet of peanuts and raisins at about R6;
Small packet of salty/non-sweet biscuits at About R6;
A pair of panties/underpants for a child under 12 at about R10-R15;
A toothbrush at R5-R9;
A small tube of toothpaste at about R8;
A face flannel, prices from R7 –R15;
A cake of soap with a pleasant scent at about R6-R12; A Small packet of sweets at about R10. Lions would welcome donations in cash or kind.
Please phone or text Gerald Buisman at 060 339 8427 or 049 892 5017 and they shall collect. Receipts for cash will be given.
Should anyone wish to donate the funds for a whole Comfort Box, the estimated cost is R80.
This may be transferred by EFT to the Lions Bank Account:
Graaff-reinet Lions Club; Graaff-reinet Branch Code: 210216; Account number 52302992964.
Please leave your name as a reference so Lions can thank you.