Plans in motion to protect our children
MIDRAND – Founder and director for Toys for Africa, Danie van Loggerenberg said, "Our message at schools is clear, no bully can bully on his or her own."
The Midrand Police Station and Toys For Africa held an awareness campaign at a local shopping centre on 16 April.
Since the launch of the Midrand Child Protection Hotline in 2019, the two organisations, accompanied by the community police forum and a mediator, held discussions with community members on this year’s plans for protecting children in and around Midrand.
Founder and director for Toys for Africa, Danie van Loggerenberg explained that Covid-19 had hampered their ability to reach children at schools. As such, they have seen a massive rise in bullying, abuse and neglect reports on the hotline. He added that they have also seen cyberbullying taking effect, as many children were not ready for the continuous online presence with Covid-19.
“Midrand has always been very close to our hearts and was one of the very first areas where the Child Protection Hotline was launched. Therefore, we need to reach the children and educate them on these issues. We need to get children recording and filming incidents, to step up and forget about the video clips and stop these incidents or at least get a teacher to stop the incidents.”
“Our message at schools is clear, no bully can bully on his or her own. They feed off the energy the fellow learners offer. And remember, bullies need help too and we cannot just cast them aside. We need to work with them too.”
Van Loggerenberg said they have tried to keep the process of reporting crimes using the hotline as simple as possible. “Any child, parent, teacher, neighbour or any person that knows about child abuse, neglect or bullying that is happening can make contact with Midrand Child
Protection Hotline.
“Once we receive the SMS, WhatsApp or phone call, we will respond accordingly. In most instances we respond with a message that contains questions about the basic information we need. That includes the name of the child and address of where the alleged incidents took place.”
They will then assess what would be the best and quickest way to assist the child in need.
“We then make contact with either the South African Police Services, social workers within jurisdiction or emergency services, to ensure the child is assisted in the quickest possible turnaround time,” Van Loggerenberg concluded.
Midrand Police Station spokesperson, Constable Eliot Mabulane welcomed the initiative. She said their main target would be to provide safety to children and to assist children who beg for food at traffic lights around Midrand, while being denied their rights to education. Midrand police, Toys For Africa and their other partners, will be embarking on a campaign to execute their set mandate.
Details: To contact the child protection hotline, send a WhatsApp or SMS to 060 820 9875.
Related Article:
https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/283470/heartfelt-donation-given-to-young-learners/
