It is in our hands to stop the cycle of abuse, neglect, violence, and exploitation of children.

Child Protection Week is supported to ensure the most vulnerable in our society do not suffer abuse, said Regional Manager at Engo Family Care Madelein Kruger.

National Child Protection Week will this year be observed from Wednesday, 29 May to Wednesday, 5 June. The theme for 2024 is: Every conversation matters, every child in every community needs a fair go.

The theme for 2024 is: “Every conversation matters.” Photo: X

The aim is to raise awareness of the need to protect children against abuse, exploitation, neglect, and all forms of violence by ensuring that the most vulnerable in our society do not suffer abuse.

Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu officially launched Child Protection Week with the theme “Protecting South African Children, 30 years on” at the Mittah Seperepere Convention Centre in Kimberley on Sunday (19/5).

“Children of today are not the children of yesterday, children of today are experimenting on many things that children of yesterday did not experiment on. So you need to take your time to understand the new environment under which these children are growing in,” said Zulu addressing parents, caregivers, and educators.

Minister of Social Development Lindiwe Zulu at the launch of Child Protection Week. Photo: sanews.gov.za

“Children must be seen, children must be heard, and children must be given an opportunity to express themselves.”

“Social workers do not just remove children from their parents and families that is only done in the worst-case scenario, and only if there is no other alternative,” said Kruger.

“Engo social workers and child protection social workers contribute to the protection and support of children who have experienced abuse and neglect on a daily with the programs that are presented in schools, communities, and individual families.”

It is in our hands to stop the cycle of abuse said Regional Manager at Engo Family Care Madelein Kruger. Photo: Bloemfontein Courant

The Department of Social Development advises South Africans, that they have alternative options when they cannot look after their children and are encouraged to look into adoption as one of the child protection measures

Between April 2010 and March 2024 the department recorded 16 593 national adoptions, which is adoption within South Africa.

On inter-country adoptions, that is adoptions out of the borders of the country, the adoptions register had 2 239, and this brings the total of registered adoptions to 18 832.

The total number of registered adoptions is 18 832. Photo: dsd.gov.za

Common signs and indicators of child abuse and neglect that parents, teachers, and community members should be aware of:

Physical abuse: this type of abuse is most noticeable if the child is not dressed appropriately, or has blue marks (cigarette burns or blue eyes). A child doesn’t accidentally get these injuries, they were inflicted on them.

Emotional abuse: it includes any degrading or insulting comments or remarks towards a child, or threats. This is noticeable when a child is very unhappy, scared, and displaying aggressive behaviour.

There are four different types of child abuse. Photo: X / Department of Social Development

Sexual abuse: this abuse is noticeable when a child experiences pain or bleeding around their genitals, is scared to be alone with someone, is withdrawn, is detached, has self-harming behaviour, has nightmares, and displays suicidal behaviour.

“The absence of injuries does not exclude the possibility of sexual abuse,” said Engo’s Kruger.

As part of child protection activities, an Engo and Free State Care in Action Child Protection Walk will be held on Friday, 31 May at Inibos in Langenhoven Park. “The entry fee is toiletries that will be distributed to children and families in need in all the communities we serve.”

Green ribbons mean standing in solidarity with children. Photo: sanews.gov.za

“The colour for child protection is green and we urge everyone to proudly wear their green ribbons as a means of standing in solidarity with children.”

OFM News/Zenande Mpame mvh