Zero tolerance to child abuse
With the recent media reports highlighting the abuse of children and women, government is making a call to communities to be vigilant about their surroundings and to report strange behaviour by people in their neighbourhood.
Acting Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) CEO, Phumla Williams, says in the recent incidents neighbours suspected some wrong doing for a while, and government would like to thank those members of society that alerted the law enforcement agencies.
“Let us play our part, as citizens by reporting any suspected child or women abuse around your respective communities. It is time we stand up for our children and protect them against any form of neglect,” says Williams.
Williams points out that there are a number of ways to report such crimes anonymously, and that families and communities must work together with the police, prosecutors and courts to make sure that criminals are arrested and convicted of crimes against children.
“Government reiterates its commitment to ensure the perpetrators of women and children abuse face the full might of the law,” she says.
Child abuse involves the betrayal of trust, and/or infringement of the rights of a child, and may take different forms such as physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, including child abandonment, and deprivation of a child the right to education. Government has put in place child protection mechanisms such as legislation and international instruments that the country has ratified as a commitment to the protection of children’s rights.
Key amongst these is Section 28 of the Constitution, which specifically deals with and lays the foundation of children’s rights. Other mechanisms include: The Children’s Act 38 of 2005; The Sexual Offences Act 32 of 2007; The Child Justice Act; The Convention on the Rights of the Child, 1989; The African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, 1999.
“Children are the future of South Africa. Government has adopted a zero-tolerance approach towards child abuse and calls on all South Africans and sectors to partner with government in creating a safer and healthier environment for our children to thrive and together take South Africa forward. Do not look away,” says Williams.
To report violence and abuse against children, the public is urged to use the following numbers:
* Crime Stop – 08600 10 111
* Child Line – 0800 055 555
* Department of Social Development – 0800 428 428 or dial *120*7867# (free) from any cellphone.
* Gender Based Violence – 0800 428428.
– @TumeloBoksburg
