03 Sep 2017

Kazungula child protection committee is making efforts to sensitise the community on the issues of child abuse including awareness on procedures to follow in case of a child abuse case.

Speaking on Friday a sensitization meeting, Kgosi Mokwena Balemogeng of Kazungula said cases of child abuse were worrisome in his village as they continued to increase despite regular address on the issue during kgotla meetings.

He said some parents even went to an extent of sexually abusing their own children and not reporting the case to protect the family name.

Kazungula social welfare officer Ms Maitumelo Ntwayagae said children needed to be educated on the right path to follow when reporting cases of abuse.

Ms Ntwayagae said child abuse cases reported in schools, police and even their office indicated rapid increase on the number of cases something which she said illustrated lack of relationship between the community and social welfare office.

District child protection committee chairperson also deputy district commissioner Ms Gofaone Moremi urged parents to always make sure they created a safe and secure environment for their children’s upbringing.

In view of the theme: Every child is your child, working together to save our children’s future, she urged all to retrace their steps and bring back the old culture which allowed elders to discipline and mentor every child in the community.

Ms Moremi also urged parents to address the issue of child maintenance, as it was the most leading case at the magistrate court, and to also familiarise themselves with children’s act as it would guide them throughout the upbringing of the child.

“I am much aware that there is still lack of knowledge when it comes to children’s rights and I want to inform you all that ignorance of the law is no excuse. I urge you all to and go buy the children’s act of 2009 and go through it to avoid using it only when a problem arises,” she added.

One of Kazungula Primary School learners and village child protection committee child member Katlego  Lingela said child abuse did not only include physical and sexual abuse as some children think but it also included harsh words being used on them that destroyed their self confidence leading to  a decline in their school performance.BOPA