Matter of fact: Alleged molestation of 7 year old girl
The Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD), in conjunction with our non-governmental organisation (NGO) partner Child Welfare Stellenbosch, has moved to provide child protection services to the 7 year old Cloetesville child alleged to have been sexually abused by her caregiver’s partner.
The child has been formally placed in Temporary Safe Care, while we assist in the investigation of the claims of sexual abuse levelled at the caregiver’s partner (boyfriend), with whom the child’s biological parent placed the child. We will also provide any necessary therapy and counselling services.
We would like to correct media reports which suggested the child had been placed into “foster care”, which invariably implies that the DSD or our NGO partners were involved in that process. This was not the case, and instead our preliminary investigations reveal that the process of placing the children away from the biological parents and into the care of the child’s relative, where the alleged abuse took place, was a private family arrangement.
It is disappointing that at no stage did the publication which ran the story seek comment and clarification from the department. The story was consequently based on grossly misinformed comment that unfairly brings into question the integrity of the foster care system.
The formal foster care system has checks and balances built into it. Guided by the Children’s Act of 2005, the department is currently working to strengthen the formal foster care system, to not only better vet volunteers of this service, but also raise the standards of care. Our efforts are designed to ensure that incidents such as this never happen within the formal foster care system.
The department will continue to act within the ambits of the Children’s Act and render services aimed at preserving the best interests of the child. The public are encouraged to report any alleged incidents of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect to the DSD Hotline on 0800 220 250, or by approaching any of our social workers at local or regional offices.
Media enquiries:
Minister Albert Fritz
Cell: 083 307 0192
Sihle Ngobese
Tel: 021 483 9217
Cell: 076 083 6543
E-mail: Sihle.Ngobese@westerncape.gov.za
