In commemoration of the International Children’s Day, the Deputy Minister of Social Development, Ms Bathabile Dlamini, has today launched the South African Child Surveillance Study project in Stinkwater, Hammanskraal. This is the first largest survey ever undertaken in the country to look into issues of child abuse, neglect and exploitation.
Through this project, the Department of Social Development will conduct a national study on child abuse, neglect and exploitation which will form a foundation to inform policy development, advocacy and prevention programmes for the protection of children.
Ms Dlamini said the information and analysis emanating from this project will enable government to have accurate and reliable data and statistics as well as evidence-based policy and programmes to deal effectively with the problem of child abuse, neglect and exploitation in our country.
“We have learned that inconsistencies in case classification and identification, as well as under-reporting of cases of child abuse, neglect and exploitation contribute to the lack of clear and accurate understanding of this problem.
“This lack of clarity often serves to traumatise the affected children further, and ultimately the continuous perpetration of maltreatment of such children. It is shocking that many children are vulnerable to risk factors associated with multiple conditions such as exposure to family violence, poverty and isolation, among others.
“These conditions are very complex and interrelated. As such they require an approach that address children’s needs in multiple contexts, including in their homes, neighbourhoods, schools, health clinics, places of work and on the street,” she explained.
The launch was attended by community members, including parents, caregivers and children. The deputy minister applauded them for their work in creating a caring and safe environment for children, saying South Africa needed active citizens of their calibre to successfully tackle its social challenges.
“There is a glaring account of these incidents (social challenges) in some communities, where children drop out school, escape the comfort or discomfort of their homes to live or work on the streets.
“This, amongst others, is an unfortunate situation that we must turn into a story of hope, by creating a caring society for children to grow up in an environment of happiness, love and understanding,” said Ms Dlamini.
In this regard, she said the launch of the South African child protection surveillance study project will help the country move in the right direction to improve child protection services.
Enquiries:
Mandla Mathebula
Cell: 083 282 6133
Issued by: Department of Social Development
1 June 2010
