As South Africa continues to witness the scourge of violence against children, the Department of Social Development (DSD) commemorates annual Child Protection Month. The aim of Child Protection Month is to raise awareness about violence against children, which may be perpetrated by parents, caregivers, peers, romantic partners or strangers.
“The 365 Days Child Protection Programme of Action is implemented with intensified efforts during the month of May. The aim is to raise awareness in communities, addressing social ills impacting on the lives of children,” the department explained.
DSD added that the campaign seeks to strengthen government’s commitment to upholding the constitutional rights of children regarding their care and protection. The department also acknowledged that the protection of children is multi-faceted and requires a coordinated approach and inter-sectoral collaboration, as the DSD alone cannot address all the social ills negatively impacting the lives of children.
The department added that this year’s theme is: “Working together in ending violence against children.” This is a five-year theme aligned with a global commitment to end violence against children by 2030.
The campaign is commemorated in conjunction with partner departments, civil society organisations, and international donors working in the field of child protection. Among other objectives, the campaign seeks to promote the care and protection of children, advance children’s rights, and uphold the principle of the child’s best interests.
Furthermore, the 365 Days Child Protection Programme aims to:
- Mobilise communities to care for and protect children and to build social cohesion;
- Scale up prevention and early intervention programmes;
- Promote the identification and reporting of suspected cases of child abuse;
- Equip children with life skills, social and behaviour change programmes, and educate them on their rights and personal safety.
The campaign also aims to upskill parents and caregivers to better care for and protect their children, strengthen collaboration and coordination among key stakeholders, promote an inclusive and effective child protection system, and improve access to direct services in communities.
Interventions
The department runs a community-based prevention and early intervention programme called Risiha is a Xitsonga word meaning "resilience", designed to support and sustain families and prevent the removal of children from their home environments and communities.
“The Risiha programme provides a core package of services to vulnerable children, covering seven critical domains: childcare and protection, psychosocial support, HIV/AIDS services, health promotion, food and nutrition, economic strengthening, and educational support.”
The programme is delivered through Risiha sites and drop-in centres established across all nine provinces. It is implemented by a range of professionals, including social workers, auxiliary social workers, child and youth care workers, community development practitioners, and community caregivers linked to community-based organisations.
In addition to drop-in centres, the programme also offers support to child-headed households, children with disabilities and chronic illnesses, and provides various services for children living and working on the streets.
How to spot a child who is being abused?
The Western Cape Department of Social Development has provided the following tips to help community members identify signs of child abuse:
- The child has been abandoned or orphaned and has no visible means of support.
- Displays behaviour which cannot be controlled by the parent or caregiver.
- Lives or works on the streets alone or as part of a group of other children.
- Has been exploited or lives in circumstances that expose them to exploitation.
- Lives in, or is exposed to, conditions that may seriously harm their physical, mental or social well-being.
- Appears to be in a state of physical or mental neglect.
- Is being maltreated, abused, deliberately neglected, or degraded by a parent, caregiver, or someone with parental responsibilities and rights.
- Is a victim of child labour.
*Information supplied by the Department of Social Development and the Western Cape Department of Social Development.
Email
Facebook
Twitter
WhatsApp