As Child Protection Week draws to a close, child abuse advocacy and support organisation Safeline hosted an event at Silvertown Educare Centre on Friday 31 May.
For over 30 years Safeline Child Abuse Treatment and Prevention Centre has provided therapeutic counselling for children ages two to 18, focusing on victims of sexual abuse. In the last 17 years, the organisation has engaged in awareness and prevention work focusing on empowering children and adults to speak out against child abuse as well as reporting such incidences.
As part of the programme on Friday, the learners of the educare were encouraged to speak up to five trusted adults if they were uncomfortable. In a bid to encourage them not to speak to strangers, Safeline employees also adapted a rendition of the Little Red Riding Hood fairytale.
Child Protection Week is observed from Wednesday 29 May to 5 June, with the organisation hosting events in Grassy Park and Mitchells Plain.
This is to complete their awareness.
“Safeline and many other organisations work relentlessly to ensure that we reach as many communities as possible.
Child sexual abuse
“Yet, we find so many children and adults still not reporting incidences of child sexual abuse.
“However, we understand that there are many reasons why child sexual abuse is less likely to be reported,” says Taslynn De Wee of the organisation.
The Community development team, Social workers and Auxiliary workers of Safeline were part of the various awareness programmes.
Educare principal Florence Reynolds thanked the organisation for taking the time to engage with the children on these important matters.
Children and staff were also part of a candle ceremony in honour of victims of violence.
Safeline also brought across the message and importance of children telling and keeping on telling until someone listens, and always telling an adult or someone they trust if they are being hurt.
- Call their offices on 021 705 2147 or Tollfree hotline on 080 003 5553.
