Remember to protect youngsters, not only during Child Protection Week
PARKTOWN – With Child Protection Week from 27 May to 4 June, the Teddy Bear Foundation believes in observing it 365 days a year.
Established in 1968, the Teddy Bear Foundation holistically supports victims of child abuse and their families.
Speaking to the organisation’s CEO, Shaheda Omar, she said the support they provide for victims is comprised of play therapy, counselling, trauma debriefing, court preparation as well as forensic medical examinations.
“We practice child protection every day, not only during Child Protection Week. During this week, we continue to run our programmes but also highlight the plight of many hurt voices that are not heard,” said Omar.
Omar also said, for children to be protected at all times, society should work together to ensure they are not affected by abuse. “This is a collective effort that requires every level of society to ensure the safety and protection of every child. We should all make it our business and look out for children.”
The Teddy Bear Foundation also runs a school outreach programme that empowers learners on appropriate and inappropriate touches, their rights and responsibilities and how to access support.
“We need to working together to move South Africa forward. Parents, family members, neighbours, schools, faith-based organisations, recreation facilities and others should continuously create awareness around child protection and reach out to children in distress.”
What are you doing to protect children? Send your story to koketsor@caxton.co.za
Related articles:
https://www.citizen.co.za/rosebank-killarney-gazette/214086/donations-and-protection/
https://www.citizen.co.za/rosebank-killarney-gazette/217158/nelson-mandela-childrens-fund-receives-r11-000-for-mandela-day/
