As the country commemorates Child Protection Week, which runs from 30 May to 6 June, police captains from Sydenham SAPS visited Hillview Primary School in Reservior Hills to educate the young learners on stranger danger, bullying and the importance of knowing their parents’ contact details.
Sydenham SAPS Captain Amelda Van De Walt said, “The saying that children are the future may be a cliché, but it is true. “It is this simple fact which has made the Minister of Police Bheki Cele make crime against women and children a police priority. In keeping with the minister’s six-point plan, we as police members will continue to strive to protect the most vulnerable in our society, the children. “We are asking communities to not protect criminals but protect our children and report any crime or abuse involving children as soon as possible. It is in our hands to stop the cycle of neglect, abuse, violence and exploitation of children.”Hillview Primary School Principal Kapila Maharaj said child protection does not only run for a week, but at her school it is an everyday lesson. “We are constantly teaching our children about stranger danger and other related lessons. Due to Covid-19, we do not have assembly but the learners are taught in class. We also emphasise to them about their rights and responsibilities,” she said.
The theme for this year’s Child Protection Week is ‘Let us protect our children during Covid-19 and beyond’. The government has called on all South Africans to support Child Protection Week by ensuring that the most vulnerable in society do not suffer abuse. The Department of Social Development has a pilot a 24-hour call centre dedicated to provide support and counselling to victims of gender-based violence. The toll-free number to call is 0800-428-428 (0800 GBV GBV) to speak to a social worker for assistance and counselling. Callers can also request a social worker from the Command Centre to contact them by dialling *120*7867# (free) from any cellphone.
