Boksburg police teach children about their rights
As part of Child Protection Week, pupils at Tswelopele Pre-School and Crèche, in the Angelo informal settlement, received a special visit from the Boksburg SAPS’s Social Crime Prevention Unit, on Tuesday, May 31.
The police taught the children about their rights and encouraged those who were affected by any form of abuse to speak out. The officers also discussed handling interactions with strangers, seeking help when attacked, and opening up to their parents, teachers and the police for advice and guidance.
In her presentation during the crime awareness campaign, Sgt Cebisa Maseko encouraged the Grade R pupils to break the silence by reporting any form of abuse directed at them. She also called for the school’s staff members to identify children who are exposed to abuse.
“You must not allow anyone to abuse you or touch your private parts. If anyone asks to see or touch your private parts, you should say no and tell your teachers, a trusted adult, the police or social workers, so that they can be arrested.
“You must not allow anyone to send you to buy cigarettes or alcohol. Tell them that the police said so,” said Maseko.
Children were also asked to refrain from stealing and bullying each other at school.
The awareness campaign also served as an opportunity for the little ones to learn about the role of the police.
“It’s very important for the children to understand that we are their friends and we are here to protect their rights,” Maseko explained.
National Child Protection Week is commemorated in South Africa annually, to raise awareness of the rights of children, as articulated in the Children’s Act of 2005.-@FanieFLK
