National Child Protection Week is marked from 27 May to 2 June this year. Child Welfare Grahamstown offers the following advice and information:
If you are a victim of child abuse, whether it is physical, emotional, sexual abuse or neglect, you have the right to be protected and seek help from someone who can help you.
What is child abuse?
Physical abuse
Non-accidental injury or physical harm of a child, for example, hitting, slapping, burning, or the administration of drugs and alcohol to a child.
Emotional abuse
Any act that denies a child the experience of feeling loved, wanted and secure, for example, rejection, verbal abuse, insults.
Sexual abuse
The intentional involvement of a child with or without the child’s consent in sexual gratification, for example, touching, raping, exposure to pornography.
Neglect
Avoiding or neglecting a child’s physical and emotional needs, for example, not feeding, leaving a child unattended, inadequate or inappropriate clothing.
If you need help, here’s who to contact:
Children 0-10 years
Child Welfare Grahamstown
Tel 046 636 1355
Cell 071 086 6382
www.childwelfaresa.org.za
email: childwelfareght@telkomsa.net
Children 11-18 years
Department of Social Development
Tel 046 602 3300/ 046 636 1484
Any age
Childline SA
0800 055 555 (free)
www.childlinesa.org.za
email director@chilineec.co.za
Mxit online counselling available Monday to Saturday from 2pm to 6pm at Childline
Lifeline
0800 012 322
www.lifeline.org.za
South African Police Service
Tel 046 603 9111 or 10111
Family Violence Child Protection and Sexual Offence Unit (FCS)
046 622 2350
