Cape Town - The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) aims to ramp up its awareness-raising initiatives about child abuse during Child Protection Month.
Observed during May, the period is designated for child protection as enshrined in the Constitution. Social Development MEC Sharna Fernandez said some adults still fail to recognise that children have rights.
She said parents and guardians are responsible for their children, and where they may need support, the team in DSD can assist.
“Unfortunately, there are many cases of parents or guardians letting children down, by abusing, neglecting, or abandoning them,” she said.
Between April 2023 and December 2023, the department recorded 2 603 cases of deliberate neglect.
It also recorded 2 801 cases of emotional and physical abuse, and 2 415 cases of sexual abuse,
“When incidents like these occur, the DSD staff or designated child protection organisations step in as per the Children’s Act to protect the well-being and dignity of these vulnerable children,” Fernandez said.
“But it is unacceptable that we have parents, guardians, and caregivers who callously ignore the rights of a child.
“When children are failed by their parents or guardians, the whole society is needed to step in and support.
“What we need is more kind and caring members of society raising their hands to become safe or foster parents.”
By the end of March 2024, there were 40 043 children in the foster system.
Siya Monakali, of Ilitha Labantu, said there was a need for more stringent measures to protect children.
“Child Protection (Month) will lose its intended purpose if a 365-day approach is not employed because violence is a daily occurrence.
“This is particularly so in communities with high rates of crime and violence,” he said.
The third-quarter crime stats, from October 2023 to December 2023, reveal that 285 children were murdered in South Africa and estimated that there were more than 13800 reported cases of child rape in the country.
Director of Molo Songololo, Patric Solomons, added that Child Protection Month must be used to improve the safety and protection of all children in schools and public spaces.
A parent who needs help, or would like information on becoming a foster or safety parent, can contact their toll-free number at 080 0220 250.
byron.lukas@inl.co.za
Cape Argus