Child Protection is everybody’s job

National Child Protection Week is marked from 27 May to 2 June this year. Child Welfare Grahamstown offers the following advice and information:

If you are a victim of child abuse, whether it is physical, emotional, sexual abuse or neglect, you have the right to be protected and seek help from someone who can help you.

What is child abuse? Physical abuse

Non-accidental

injury or physical harm of a child, for example, hitting, slapping, burning, or the administration of drugs and alcohol to a child.

Emotional abuse

Any act that denies a child the experience of feeling loved, wanted and secure, for example, rejection, verbal abuse, insults.

Sexual abuse

The intentional involvement of a child with or without the child's consent in sexual gratification, for example, touching, raping, exposure to pornography.

Neglect

Avoiding or neglecting a child's physical and emotional needs, for example, not feeding, leaving a child unattended, inadequate or inappropriate clothing.

If you need help, here's who to contact: Children 0-10 years

• Child Welfare Grahamstown Tel 046 636 1355 Cell 071 086 6382 www.childwelfaresa.org.za email: telkomsa.net

Children 11-18 years

• Department of Social Development Tel 046 602 3300/ 046 636 1484

Any age

• Childline SA 0800 055 555 (free) www.childlinesa.org.za email director@chilineec. co.za • Mxit online counselling available Monday to Saturday from 2pm to 6pm at Childline • Lifeline 0800 012 322 www.lifeline.org.za • South African Police Service Tel 046 603 9111 or 10111 • Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offence Unit (FCS) 046 622 2350