HIGHVELD – A child goes missing every five hours in South Africa.
According to Missing Children South Africa, nearly 23 per cent of children that go missing are never found again.
Trafficking in children is a global problem that affects large numbers of children.
According to UNICEF and World Concern, some estimates have as many as 1.2 million children being trafficked every year.
Children and their families are often unaware of the dangers of trafficking, believing that it will not happen to them.
With the festive season approaching and many children accompanying their families to crowded beaches, parks and shopping centers, parents and guardians are urged to ensure they pay attention to the safety of their children.
According to ER 24’s spokesman, Ms Chitra Bodasing Harduth, said:“It is easy to become lost in the planning, shopping and desire to make this a festive season to remember, however, parents and guardians have to be alert at all times.”
ER24 has provided some safety tips for parents, guardians and children:
• Shopping centres are busy at this time of year. While you may be in a rush to complete your shopping, you must be vigilant at all times. If you take your children to a shopping centre, ensure you keep a close eye on them. Do not, under any circumstances, leave them in the vehicle.
• If you are working this festive season, ensure someone you trust is looking after your children. Leaving children, especially young ones, at home without supervision is risky.
• Teach children not to accept anything from, to talk to or go anywhere with strangers. Inform them that should they be approached by a stranger or feel unsafe around someone known to them, they should run away and scream to get the attention of people in the area. Also teach them never to go to secluded areas.
• Ensure your children know your name, their name and surname as well as their address. They should be informed that these details are not to be given to strangers but instead to people of authority such as police officers or lifeguards for example. Teach children emergency numbers and what to do in emergency situations as well.
• If you are going sightseeing or to any other attractions, ensure you research the area. Consider your children and determine if it is an appropriate place for them. If you decide to go and to take your children, ensure you keep a close eye on them.
• If your child goes missing, report it to the police and give authorities as much information about your child as possible.
• Parents must have a close and open relationship with children and they should feel comfortable telling you where they are going and with whom.
Children should be informed about the need to let you know where they are going to and to keep you updated when their plans change.
• Youngsters should be made aware of the dangers of consuming alcohol, the dangers of driving under the influence, driving without a licence as well as the dangers of using drugs. Girls should also be made aware that they should not accept drinks from strangers and should always be careful when at parties for example.
