Roodepoort community share their views on National Child Protection Week
“We are all responsible for a child’s life; whether at school, home or on the playground, we as adults should look after them and ensure their safety."
National Child Protection Week is commemorated in the country annually to raise awareness of the rights of children as articulated in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, and the Children’s Act (Act 38 of 2005).
The Northsider asked a few Roodepoort community members for their views on National Child Protection Week.
Lizel van Eeden, project manager at Matla A Bana:
“We have a national memorandum of understanding with the South African Police Service, and one of their focuses is to support the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) units, known by the community as the Child Protection Unit.
“These units all have forensic social workers, so we have seen that these forensic social workers need to build a relationship with the child.
“They are not investigating officers, but the additional person to assist a child.”
Leilani Kuter, founder of the ‘Yellow For Survivors’ NGO:
“Child Protection Week is such an important campaign because children are the future, and we need to look after our children while we set good examples for them.
“It is very important to set a good example for your children because they do what their parents do most of the time.”
Simnikiwe Jikijela, a mother of two from Roodepoort:
“As a mother of two girls I feel Child Protection Week is the perfect opportunity to bring issues of child abuse and neglect into the spotlight, and asks the whole community to reflect on the roles they can play in protecting the rights of young people.”
Danie van Loggerenberg, founder of the West Rand Child Protection Hotline:
“Child Protection Week is too little, too late, but at least a great start for everyone to realise the importance of child safety in the country.
“It’s good that we are getting together as a country for one week in order to raise awareness on such a sensitive subject.”
Bala Muthan, Honeydew Police spokesperson:
“We are all responsible for a child’s life; whether at school, home or on the playground, we as adults should look after them and ensure their safety.
“All measures need to be taken to see to it that the safety of every child is prioritised to ensure a bright future for our country.”
The Department of Social Development has a pilot a 24-hour call centre dedicated to providing support and counselling to victims of gender-based violence:
• The toll-free number to call is 0800 428 428 (0800 GBV GBV) to speak to a social worker for assistance and counselling.
• Callers can also request a social worker from the Command Centre to contact them by dialling *120*7867# (free) from any cellphone.
You can also get help at:
• ChildLine South Africa: 0800 055 555
• Child Welfare South Africa: 0861 4 CHILD (24453) / 011 452-4110 / email: info@childwelfaresa.org.za.
