Kids Haven has spoken out strongly against the practice of “blessers”, which has recently been targeted at some of the home’s children.
According to Susan Daly, fund-raising co-ordinator, some Kids Haven children have become known to be blessers, who were deliberately making contact with the children and trying to attract them with gifts.
“Men were flirting with our girls (all under 18) in front of shops and businesses in Benoni but no one came out and questioned the men, or thought about calling Crime Line or even Kids Haven to alert us to what was happening,” said Daly.
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“We condemn this practice in the strongest terms.
“Kids Haven wants adults in our community to do the right thing and to recognise that child protection is everyone’s business.
“If good adults stopped looking away when they see something bad or odd happening, it would help us to protect so many more children.”
Adele Pillay, head of youth programmes at Kids Haven, believes society is at an all-time low in consciousness when young girls are reaching out to men for love and affection and are used for sexual gratification.
“These young girls are children – or at least they should be to an adult man,” said Pillay.
“There are personal boundaries that every adult sets which allows for healthy interaction with others.
“The man that is emotionally vested in a young girl and buys her gifts that she or her parents cannot afford has crossed a line and entered into an imbalanced relationship.
“The element of secrecy and shame becomes a shadow for both.
“A dark world has been entered into where freedom and innocence are lost.
“No girl should ever have the need of a blesser and no man should find any pleasure in trading money and gifts to steal the worthiness of a girl child.”
Pillay said all it takes is for one man to step up and say to every girl that passes his way and wants to trade her sacred body for money or a hairpiece, “no, you are too valuable” or “you are worth so much more”.
“This is the type of man who holds the well-being of our girls and nation in his hands and sets aside his ego to be the ‘daddy’ they never had.”
Kids Haven wants to remind the public that if they see something involving a child which doesn’t seem right, they must report it.
This is where you can report it:
• Crime Line (anonymous SMS tip line): 32211
• Benoni SAPS: 011 747 0000
• Kids Haven: 011 421 4222
• Your ward councillor
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