This was announced during the launch of the newly established hotline at Mall at Newmarket on March 25 by Danie van Loggerenberg, founder of Toys for Africa and Child Protection Hotline.
Van Loggerenberg also announced the launch of a hotline for the Greater Palm Ridge area, which will look at Thokoza and Katlehong areas.
He has since joined forces with Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court, Alberton SAPS social prevention crime unit, Mediators Incorporated and Addict’s Voice.
Mall at Newmarket has since decided to come on board and sponsor the child protection hotline. The hotline aims to tackle bullying, child abuse, child neglect, drug use, cyberbullying and human trafficking head-on.
“When you’re a child and you’re in need, you look at your own area first to get help. This is the number that they will use to either SMS or call when they need help and we will then connect them to the right people to help them. The hotlines will work the same as all the others,” said van Loggerenberg.
According to van Loggerenberg, he is going to be the person that connects those in need of help to relevant departments.
Ideal partnership
He also told the RECORD that they have grown from strength-to-strength in their mission to fight social crimes.
“We have since expanded to have our own call centre, which is managed by skilled social workers. Joining hands with different entities for us means we will know which channels to go through tackling these issues,” said van Loggerenberg.
Lindi Liebisch, the acting magistrate at Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court, said as magistrates they act in children’s best interests.
“It’s not that we as magistrates are acting personally. We just have the correct framework to make sure that those children who need care are directed to the right people. We are here to facilitate as part of the process,” she said.
Martin Kroukamp, the magistrate at Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court, reiterated that he has over time noticed alarming criminal cases involving sexual acts between children.
“I also deal with child justice proceedings, where one does not take a child through the whole criminal process because they try to involve social services. Victims being anything from ages two to 12, and perpetrators being from ages nine to 16,” he said.
Should an emergency arise, the community is urged to contact the Alberton Child Protection Hotline on 064 931 5139. The Greater Palm Ridge Child Protection Hotline can be reached on 066 387 1564.
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