Teddy Bear Clinic continues to help victims of abuse
PARKTOWN - The Teddy Bear Clinic aims to provide efficient and professional services to abused children that effectively promote their healing and stop any further abuse.
This translates into a mission to minimise any secondary harm to children and their families upon them entering the child protection system.
In their work, the Teddy Bear Clinic puts the best interests of the child at the centre of all its decisions.
It attends local and national forums to learn about the trends in child abuse and the services available for children from other non-profit organisations and government agencies.
Some examples include the Child Justice Forum, National Child Protection Committee, Sexual offences Working Group and the Gauteng Child Protection Forum.
No other organisation in South Africa offers young victims of abuse crucial support in a holistic and comprehensive manner as the Teddy Bear Clinic does.
The total beneficiaries who received services for the past year were 32 149.
The various programmes and interventions run by the organisation include the child witness programme, which is provided to any child and his or her family who will have to testify in court.
The aim is to minimise any secondary harm to children and their families upon their entering the justice system and ensuring that children who do testify are competent witnesses.
A medieval fundraising ball was held in November to raise funds for the court preparation costs and was well supported.
The Support Programme for Abuse Reactive Children Diversion Programme (SPARC) aims to divert children away from the criminal justice system, and reached out to 366 participants this year, a steady increase from the previous year.
It is unique in its intervention as it exposes children to the creative mediums of expression such as movement therapy, art therapy, music and boxing.
This has proven to be successful in enhancing children’s self-esteem as well as with their holistic development.
Other highlights of the year include successfully challenging the Sexual Offender Register Bill which criminalised consensual sexual activities between adolescents.
The bill was more harmful than helpful and was not in the best interests of children, and as such was challenged.
Next year, the Teddy Bear Clinic has identified areas lacking in support services for child victims of abuse. These areas include Thohoyandou, Orange Farm, Diepsloot and Alexandra.
The Teddy Bear Clinic plans to partner with local existing organisations in this endeavour.
Details: ttbc.org.za
