Benoni Child Protection Hotline launched to tackle abuse

The 23rd Child Protection Hotline was launched on May 28 in Northmead to continue to promote child safety and to bring hope to victims of abuse.

This was done in line with the continuous effort from the Child Protection Hotline to reach as many communities as possible with their services.

Child Protection Hotline founder and director of the Toys for Africa Foundation Danie van Loggerenberg said he was very excited about the launch.

He also said Benoni is very lucky because they have an “amazing” commander of Benoni Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences, Lt Col Cecile Veldman.

He explained that the 24-hour hotline number is child-friendly and accessible via SMS, WhatsApp, or calling. Calls are free and there is no cost (excluding airtime and data) to contact the number via any of these platforms.

“The East Rand is the busiest hotline countrywide and even now that we have divided the area it remains the busiest, with Boksburg being second and Kempton Park third. Which mean there is a problem with child-related protection on the East Rand,” said van Loggerenberg.

“We have found that children don’t want to call a random stranger to ask for assistance but they will be able to send a message.”

The hotline does allow any child, teacher, parent, or neighbour who knows of a child in need of care and protection to find help.

He said they have found a better way to communicate with children in schools by using teddy bears.
“It is a nice way to explain to children what is right and wrong.

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“A child in a sexually abused setup does not speak out because they think it’s normal and it probably happens to everyone. This happens because these are no longer open dialogues at school. When we were at school we knew that if something was wrong you tell a friend but it doesn’t work like that anymore,” said van Loggerenberg.

“More than 50 per cent of boys these days are being sexually abused. Before I started this venture I didn’t know that boys were a target, so that’s why we exist. We exist so that anyone from the community can come forward and say there is a problem.

“However, some problems won’t be resolved because most people don’t want to get involved especially if it means to be a witness.”

Van Loggerenberg said all departments need to work together because the best interest of the child is all that matters.

“My passion for children is what drives me and we will continue to fight for the victims to get justice. We if all follow the rules and we all do what we supposed to do, we will get the right outcome.”

Kingfisher Corner has been a sponsor of the hotlines for almost five years.

He added that they have planned to visit schools since last year but due to the pandemic it has been difficult. But with the articles from the local newspapers, they will be able to reach the schools.

Parents, teachers, and children are urged to save the Benoni Child Protection Hotline number (079 595 2637) on their phones or send an email to childprotection@toysforafrica.org.za for more information or to report cases of child abuse.

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