A collective effort in fighting abuse
South Africa needs to regroup and tackle social ills that plague our societies, Sello Mokoena writes
SINCE the dawn of the democratic dispensation, successive governments have developed progressive pieces of legislation and policies. These were intended to protect children against various forms of abuse such as physical, emotional and sexual abuse.
Thus as we celebrate Child Protection Week this year, themed “Let us All Protect Children to Move South Africa Forward”, there is a need to reflect on some of the practical measures put in place to deal with the scourge of child abuse.
There must be more programmes aimed at educating parents about child abuse as this problem is becoming more chronic.
Official policy documents show that among others, the Republic of South Africa created the Child Protection Register to record cases of child abuse and the punishment meted out against the perpetrators of such abuses.
Additionally, child protection committees were established within some communities to ensure that children were protected against abuse. The ultimate objective is to eradicate the chronic problem of child abuse and create caring environments for children.
Given the brutal incidents of child abuse, the prevailing view seems to be that these interventions have had very little positive spin-offs. As The 2015 Optimus Study on Child Abuse in South Africa, published by the University of Cape Town states: “One in five (19.8%) young people reported having experienced some form of sexual abuse in their lifetimes. This was true for both boys (20.3%) and girls (19.2%).
“More than a third (34.4%) of respondents reported having ever been hit, beaten, kicked or physically hurt by an adult who was supposed to be taking care of them. A total of 16.1% – one in six young people – reported experiencing emotional abuse. One fifth (21.3%) of respondents reported experiencing any form of neglect ever in their lives.”
To make lasting positive social changes and to change attitudes towards child abuse there is a need to mount sustainable campaigns to create more awareness about the existence and uses of the Child Protec- tion Register. In addition to using the mass media in executing campaigns aimed at raising awareness about the immoral and criminal act of child abuse, it is essential to create more locally based structures such child protection committees.
Research shows interpersonal communications provided through these channels can be as effective as mass communi- cation platforms in confronting social ills such as these.
This is why the trend in some countries has been to combine other forms of communication with organised grassroots forums under the leadership of influential community leaders and local development activists, including interfaith leaders, as well as business people and researchers.
Broadening public participation in the fight against child abuse will result in a sustainable national agenda central to creating a society fit for children and women because, in the long run, children’s and women’s struggles are inseparable.
The most recent cases being those of nine-year old Keketso Mahlakakwana, who went missing, and Karabo Mokoena, who was allegedly murdered by her boyfriend.
South African policy-makers should strengthen local initiatives such as Gau- teng Men’s Federation which serves as a form of violence prevention and works as a powerful men’s movement for promoting positive social change through positive male role models who contribute towards fighting the scourge of child and women abuse. We should amplify efforts intended to bring young and old male role models together in a bid to promote intergenerational values, and to change attitudes towards children, and the way children and women are generally perceived.
The step will not only increase the number of old and young positive male role models who will stand up against child abuse, it will also generate new perspectives and strategies on how to nip social ills such as child abuse in the bud.
Above all, it will promote and protect children’s constitutional rights.
Additionally, there must be more programmes implemented to improve the skills of parents and caregivers and to provide advice on how to apply what they have learnt.
As Gauteng MEC for Social Development Mayathula-Khoza said: “We must keep on working at improving safety measures to ensure kids are safe – and that they feel safe.”
“Children should be taught the simple things like not allowing anyone to touch them where they are not supposed to be touched, and that it is dangerous to talk to strangers.
“Kids should know they shouldn’t speak to strangers.
“They must be taught to report such incidents to their parents and family as well as to religious leaders, police, social workers and members of the community. But it is the responsibility of the parents and adults to make sure kids feel safe and make sure they have supervision at all times,” said Mayathula-Khoza.
The objective is to eradicate the problem