New unit by Bedfordview CPF aims to safeguard interests of children

The newly launched Child Guardian Unit will be a resource hub for children in need of intervention.

Bedfordview CPF chairperson Janine Dalgleish and the Victim Empowerment Group’s Delani Hollhumer said there was a need for the CGU after numerous requests and enquiries regarding cases involving children were brought to their attention.

The unit was launched on May 23 at the Italian Club in Bedfordview.

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“A clear lack of resources and intervention from necessary parties left many children in dire situations.

“In short, the community does not know where to get help for children.

“We sometimes rely on help from Bedfordview CPF members as well as security companies. Laura Ausker has also joined the team, assisting when on cases when needed.

“We can either guide or refer or we can open cases ourselves, depending on the circumstances,” stated Hollhumer.

CGU is a branch of the Victim Empowerment Group at the Bedfordview SAPS that works with the CPF.

They have been up and running since the beginning of the year.

According to Hollhumer, they co-ordinate with all stakeholders in situations that involve abused and neglected children.

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This also includes lost, missing as well as children involved in a crime and who have been exploited or trafficked.

“CGU is based in Bedfordview and most of our enquiries come from our area (Bedfordview, Klopperpark, Elandsfontein) and surrounds, including Primrose, Edenvale, Germiston but we have assisted requests across Gauteng and even Middleburg, Mpumalanga.

“We assist where we can and if we are not sure we will find people or organisations that can.

“It could be assisting with a referral to a social worker in your area, court procedures to follow when becoming a guardian to a family member or severe neglect or abuse cases,” she said.

The key to CGU being a success is creating a vast network of like-minded people willing to work together, including the SAPS; Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit; security companies; attorneys and prosecutors; doctors and nurses; CPFs; social workers; schools; and NGO’s.

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They receive two to three reports a week of severe abuse. These are then followed up by either assisting community members with opening cases or reporting them to relevant organisations like the Department of Social Development.

“In the next few months, we will be conducting training with SAPS members, CPF patrollers, security companies and NGOs on relevant procedures when dealing with cases involving children.

For enquiries, the organisation is reachable via their WhatsApp helpline on 067 408 0499 or email at children@bcpf.co.za.