Following the launch of Edenvale’s and Bedfordview’s Child Protection Hotlines, teachers, children, parents and concerned citizens now have easier means to report child abuse, violence or related issues.
Launched on October 26 at Twinkle Little Stars Nursery School in Eastleigh, the Bedfordview and Edenvale hotlines are the 35th and 36th numbers to be launched nationally.
The hotlines are child-friendly accessible via SMS, WhatsApp or phone calls.
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Calls are free and there is no cost (excluding airtime and data) to contact the number via any of these platforms.
Founder of the Child Protection Hotline Danie van Loggerenberg explained that the hotline aims to work as a team with the structures already established in the community and give children a voice.
He said town-specific hotlines were created after the project realised the different needs and challenges in the various communities nationwide.
“When we all work together it becomes easier,” explained van Loggerenberg.
“We have attorneys, counsellors and different skill sets. By working together, we can do so much.”
Speaking on how the project was founded, van Loggerenberg said when he became a father 11 years ago, it changed him as a man.
“I had this desire to protect my child. I realised my child was lucky to have me but there are so many who don’t have a support structure,” he said.
Van Loggerenberg, who also founded Toys for Africa, a project that works with schools and provides toys or stationery to underprivileged children in SA, said while working with schools he realised the need to help other children.
He said schools informed him and the Toys for Africa team of issues of child abuse and he realised it was a growing problem.
After being provided with the information by the schools, van Loggerenberg decided to launch the hotlines.
He emphasised that the hotline project does not plan to take the responsibilities and duties away from established structures in the community.
By partnering with the local police stations and community policing forums, van Loggerenberg hopes to further promote the hotlines by engaging with learners and teachers at schools with authorities.
Van Loggerenberg explained to officers from Edenvale Police Station and members of Edenvale’s CPF, at the Edenvale launch, that the hotline will hopefully make their jobs easier.
Chairperson of ECPF Sheryl Damerell said although the policing forum’s hands were tied in the past, she welcomed the launch of the hotlines.
“We are willing to work together. Thank you for bringing this to Edenvale.”
Van Loggerenberg said when somebody phones one of the Child Protection Hotlines, information is gathered for the SAPS or the necessary government department.
He added information is gathered by a person working at the hotline’s call centre who will ask the caller a series of set questions.
Van Loggerenberg said once the call centre agent has gathered the necessary information, it is then sent to him and he assesses the situation and information before contacting the relevant government department.
In addition to launching the two hotlines, van Loggerenberg agreed to partner with members of Edenvale SAPS and ECPF for a 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence event in Edenvale.
Some of the objectives van Loggerenberg would like to achieve include creating greater awareness and education.
One way he hopes to do this is by having posters erected in schools, restaurants and public bathrooms to inform people.
“We are also working towards attaining statutory powers so that we will have social workers available in times of emergencies,” said van Loggerenberg.
“There are long-term plans and we are putting necessary structures in place.”
• Edenvale’s Child Protection Hotline is 071 489 7582
• Bedfordview’s Child Protection Hotline is 063 667 8726
Alternatively, send an email to childprotection@toysforafrica.org.za for information or to report cases of child abuse.
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