27 May to 3 June
The Department of Social Development will from Sunday, 27 May until Sunday, 03 June 2018, lead a week-long national Child Protection Week (CPW) campaign under the theme: “Let Us Protect All Children to Move South Africa Forward.”
The CPW campaign was launched in 1997, to raise awareness and mobilise communities to care and protect children from abuse, neglect, exploitation as well as other forms of violence and ill-treatment. This year marks the 21st anniversary of the campaign.
The aim of CPW is to raise awareness and unite all South Africans to collectively care and protect children by upholding their constitutional rights as enshrined in both the Constitution and the Legislative Children’s Act 38 of 2005.
CPW will be kick-started through a media launch which is scheduled to take place in Pretoria, Gauteng, on 27 May. The closing ceremony will take place on 03 June in Ladybrand - Free State.
The focus for this year’s CPW campaign, which involves various stakeholders and government departments, revolves around various forms of abuse of children taking place at homes and in schools. The forms of abuse which have been identified and form part of the communication for the duration of the campaign include:
- Physical abuse (including corporal punishment at home and in schools)
- Verbal abuse
- Sexual abuse (rape, molestation and sexual harassment)
- Bullying (verbally and physically)
- Psychological abuse (including financial abuse)
CPW will also focus on the prevalence of unaccompanied minors, undocumented children and child labour issues.
The Department of Social Development (DSD) has invited ministers form the Departments of Basic Education, Justice and Correctional Services as well as South African Police Service to support the campaign.
The campaign will be guided by the following sub-themes:
- Stop child mistreatment
- Strengthening foster families to care and protect foster children
- Protecting children living in child-headed households
- Promote the importance of early childhood development
- Report child abuse, neglect and exploitation
- Protecting the rights of all children, including children with disabilities and chronic illnesses;
- Reminders that physical punishment is harmful to children’s development
- Promoting, protecting and strengthening families
- Promoting successful rehabilitation and care for children in conflict with the law.
Follow the conversation via #ChildProtection2018
