The Western Cape Department of Social Development says it will ramp up awareness-raising initiatives about child abuse and neglect this month, as it observes Child Protection Month.

The Department says it recorded nearly 8000 cases of either deliberate child neglect, emotional and physical abuse or sexual abuse between April and December last year.

In addition, there are more than 40 000 children currently in the foster system in the province.

MEC Sharna Fernandez says every child needs to be safeguarded from abuse, and parents and guardians need to take responsibility for their children, and where they may need support, the Department can assist.

Fernandez says the rights of children are 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.”

The Department offers a range of services to assist families and ensure the protection of children, such as early prevention and intervention programmes.

Fernandez says sadly, 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.

“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.”

The MEC has issued a call for people to raise their hands to become safety or foster parents to care for abused or neglected children.

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 help, or you’d like information on becoming a foster or safety parent, call the toll-free number 0800 220 250 or visit your nearest Department of Social Development local office.

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