Protection of children should start with parents and guardians

During the month of May, when we commemorate Child Protection Month, the Western Cape Department of Social Development will ramp up its awareness-raising initiatives about child abuse and the preventive measures we offer as the Department.

This period is also an opportunity to place a spotlight on the rights of children as enshrined in Section 28 of the Bill of Rights in the Constitution.

“Some adults forget that children have rights too and it is the responsibility of institutions like the Western Cape Department of Social Development to step in when these rights are infringed upon. Section 28 states that every child has the right ‘to be protected from maltreatment, neglect, abuse or degradation’. Parents and guardians, you are responsible for your children, and where you may need support, the team in DSD can assist,” says Provincial Minister of Social Development, Sharna Fernandez.

The Department offers a range of services to assist families and ensure the protection of children, such as early prevention and intervention programmes. More information can be found on the DSD website: https://www.westerncape.gov.za/service/services-families-programme

“Unfortunately, there are many cases of parents or guardians letting children down, by abusing, neglecting, or abandoning them. Between April 2023 and December 2023, the Department recorded 2603 cases of deliberate neglect, 2801 cases of emotional and physical abuse, and 2415 cases of sexual abuse, which required the completion of a Form 22* as per the requirement of the Children’s Act. When incidents like these occur, the DSD staff or Designated Child Protection Organisations step in as per the Children’s Act to protect the wellbeing and dignity of these vulnerable children,” adds Provincial Minister Fernandez.

“But it is unacceptable that we have parents, guardians, and caregivers who callously ignore the rights of a child. All children deserve love, care, and protection. And government cannot do this alone. 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 safety or foster parents. If you can give a vulnerable child a safe and caring home, I encourage you to contact the Department for more information TODAY,” adds Provincial Minister Fernandez.

By the end of March 2024, there were 40 043 children in the foster system.

If a child has been abused, deliberately neglected, or exploited, they may be placed in foster care following a court order. This is to provide temporary care and protection until the child can be reunified with their original family.

There are also safety parents that provide temporary care of no more than six children, except where children are siblings, for up to 90 days. Emergency parents provide temporary safe care for between 24 and 48 hours.

If you are a child or a parent who needs our help, or you’d like information on becoming a foster or safety parent, please call our toll-free number 0800 220 250 or visit your nearest Department of Social Development local office. You can also visit https://www.westerncape.gov.za/service/fostering-child

*A Form 22 is a formal way to report child abuse in any form to the Department of Social Development, the South African Police Service, or a Designated Child Protection Organisation.