“The protection of children starts at home and in the community.” This is the view of Lucinda Evans, founder of Philisa Abafazi Bethu, a non-profit organisation (NPO) working with abused women and vulnerable children in Steenberg.
Evans was speaking to People’s Post in the light of Child Protection Week that started on Thursday 29 May and concludes on Thursday 5 June.
National Child Protection Week is commemorated annually to raise awareness of the rights of children with the theme this year being “Working together in ending violence against children”.
Evens said protecting children is everyone’s responsibility.
“At home and in the communities is where the abuse happens and where its kept a secret. We don’t deal with the uncle, brother or grandfather that has been molesting the children.”
Evans believes all forms of child abuse and neglect should be reported.
“A first perpetrator is an angry parent that took his or her anger out on the child. We must keep the parents responsible that refuse to get any help for a child that’s bullying. That child can be helped.”
She lambasted the government who she believes fails children.
“Many cases of child sexual abuse are thrown out by the court because of the DNA backlog, and inadequate investigation.
“We need to report social workers to the Medical Health Professions Council and to the Council of Social Workers. Some social workers are not doing their work and because of this a child is in harms way.”
According to Evans, organisations for children should also be held accountable.
“I want residents to walk into organisations that work with children and ask them whether everyone is vetted and screened against the sexual offenders register.
“We should not be reactive when something bad happens to children. We should continue to be proactive and do our collective bit to protect them.”
Patric Solomons, director at Molo Songololo, an Observatory based organisation advocating for the rights of children, appeals for more support for organisations.
“We can do better to protect the rights of children. We still have far too many who live in poverty, many children go hungry. Statutory rape is a massive problem. Adults believe they can have sex with children and there will be no consequences. We are not taking good care of our children especially those in disadvantaged communities.”
He said continued budget cuts deprive children of much-needed services.
“It affects us and our abilities to sustain our programmes and children accessing services. Over the last couple of months, we had to reduce some of our services that we provide. We had to cut down on providing children with meals.”
Meanwhile the provincial department of social development (DSD) kicked off the start of Child Protection Week, by hosting a 10-kilometer relay in the Breede Valley Municipality. The department funds 108 designated child protection organisations across the province that play a crucial role in protecting children’s welfare and providing support services for vulnerable children.
Elarna Siljeur, DSD social work supervisor, said children have the right to be protected from exploitation and harm.
“We marched to highlight this and to call on communities to protect children, and for them to see who they can go to for help. ‘Each one serves one’, so if someone in the community sees something, they know who to go to for assistance. We need people to report cases of abuse, to either the police or DSD, so that we can assist the child immediately.”
Jaco Londt, provincial minister for the department of social development, said in a press statement: “Children represent the promise of tomorrow, they are the architects of a better South Africa. Yet, many of them are confronted daily with circumstances beyond their control such as poverty and family instability.”
He said government alone cannot protect all the vulnerable children in the province.
“It is simply impossible. Our department needs its NGO partners, municipalities, communities, our residents, and the private sector in this great and important task.”
Londt encouraged businesses and society to support organisations either through donations or by volunteering their time.
“There are also many children who are removed from harmful situations by social workers and are then in need of temporary safe care. If you have a heart for helping them, please consider becoming a safety or foster parent.”
Contact your nearest DSD local office, or call 0800 220 250 tollfree. You can also find information here: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/social-development/service/fostering-child
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