Protecting children during Covid-19 and beyond

BRIGHTON Beach police hosted the precinct’s annual child protection public awareness campaign on Friday, 5 June.

The theme for child protection 2020 as depicted by the Department of Social Development; ‘Let us all protect children during Covid-19 and beyond’, required for awareness that would withstand Covid-19 and beyond. As schools and educational institutes could not be called on due to the pandemic, campaigning for the protection of children required a creative approach.

Brighton Beach SAPS communications officer, Captain Louise Le Roux created care packs with a dual purpose, which she distributed at Bluff Towers Mall to parents, guardians and care-givers of children between the ages of 6 and 12.

“The objective of the campaign was to empower children through the use of visual aids as warnings on the dangers that lurk in their societies. These include; not to talk with, walk with or take novelties or lifts from strangers. Children are also discouraged to touch or play with sharp objects, firearms, crackers, and objects that create flames. The colour fun activity book in the care pack discourages bullying and encourages children to tell someone they trust when they are being hurt by someone.

“A further objective in line with the theme was to promote Covid-19 personal care through hygiene visual aids which were created and added to the care packs. The posters, packed with a bar of soap, encourage children to wash their hands, cough in their elbow, sanitize surfaces, practice social distancing, wear a mask in public spaces, and to stay home for their own well-being. A second mini poster shows the correct way in which hands should be washed,” said Le Roux.

Brighton Beach SAPS achieved the strategic objective of the organisation, which is to empower children through fun activities on how to protect and care for themselves while partnering with the business sector, and adhering to the call of the Department of Social Development. Captain Le Roux is acknowledged as project manager for this public awareness initiative.