Child Protection Week: what to look for and who to contact to intervene
A published study in 2016 found that more than 40% of the youth in SA have experienced either sexual, physical or emotional abuse or neglect in their lifetime.
The period from May 30 to June 6 has been designated as Child Protection Week in SA.
This is a campaign spearheaded by the department of social development, working together with other government departments and various social organisations providing child protection services to the community.
The main aim of the campaign is to raise awareness of children’s rights as articulated in the Children’s Act (No 38 of 2005).
Section 28 of the Bill of Rights in SA’s Constitution states that every child has the right to: an education, basic nutrition, health care, and social services.
The Constitution upholds the right of children to be protected against emotional abuse, emotional neglect, physical neglect, physical abuse and sexual abuse.
Emotional abuse: This form of abuse can take different forms. However, it mostly includes the deliberate and consistent humiliation, ridiculing or belittling of a child by either the parent or caretaker.
The child may not be physically harmed but the emotional abuse will affect their development and may result in depression, low self-esteem, anxiety and the inability to form and maintain positive social relationships.
Emotional neglect: It bares similarity to emotional abuse as it also does not require physical interaction to be considered as abusive.
It speaks of the failure of parents and caregivers in providing support, affection and attention to their children.
Physical neglect: This form of abuse is different from emotional neglect as it involves the failure of parents and caregivers to provide for the physical needs of their children.
These include clothing, food, shelter and medical care.
Other forms of physical neglect include child abandonment, kicking a child out of their home and not enrolling them in schools.
The socio-economic position of parents and caregivers must also be considered.
Physical abuse: This refers to any physical harm that is inflicted on a child which include burns, bruises, cuts, whippings and so on by either their biological parent, caregiver or strangers.
Most cultures and societies do use a form of physical abuse such as spanking to punish a child when they have done something wrong.
This is considered to be physical abuse as it goes against the Children’s Act of 38 of 2005 when it comes to the protection of children.
Sexual abuse: This includes any forms of sexual assault or exploitation of children by parents, caretakers and strangers. This includes sexually inappropriate and criminal offences such as rape, molestation, incest, prostitution and exposing children to pornographic sources.
What to look for in a child being abused:
Are they anxious, withdrawn, have low selfesteem?
Scared of adults?
Not coping at school.
Changes in their behaviour, personality and lack of concentration.
Outbursts, aggression and volatile behaviour. Unable to make friends and lack necessary social skills.
Will know about adult issues that are not age appropriate, in particular sexual knowledge.
Appear to be in physical pain and have unexplained bruises.
Constantly absent from school and performing badly academically.
Not meeting developmental milestones. Look neglected, for example, not clean, undernourished, homeless.
Have an STI or are pregnant.
Who should report a case of child abuse?
Section 110 of the Children’s Amended Act states it mandatory for people in certain professions to report possible child abuse cases.
Teachers, social workers, child and youth care workers, psychologists, medical practitioners, religious leaders, legal practitioners, and traditional leaders, among others, have an obligation to report abuse.
Even though you may not be part of these professions you should report any case of suspected child abuse. In terms of sexual offences, you are required to report the offence as soon as you are aware of it.
How to report a case of child abuse: Identify an institution that can investigate the matter further.
This includes those that provide child protection services the police, NGOs or the department of social development, which will take it further and investigate the matter, and if needed, will make the necessary arrangements to ensure the child is protected.
Some of the organisations one can report to: Department of social development 043-706-0400;
Christelike Maatskaplike Raad (CMR) 043-722-6104;
Police emergency number 10111 or 112 from a cellphone;
Child line SA (toll free) 0800-055-555; Masithethe Counseling Services 043-722-2000 or 084-091-5410.
Masithethe Counselling Services (formerly LifeLine East London) has been offering confidential and free counselling to BCM residents since 1985. Contact 043-722-2000 or WhatsApp 084-091-5410. Email: