CHILDREN’S SAFETY ADDRESSED DURING OUTREACH TO JACARANDA CHILDREN’S HOME

As part of Child Protection Week, Unchain Our Children joined an outreach to reinforce the importance of children’s safety, initiated by FCS Pretoria Moot together with SAPS Missing Persons Buro (Head Office), SAPS Search and Rescue K9 Unit and the Diving Unit. 

Magistrates of the Children’s Court were also present and a debate plus a Question-and-Answer session followed afterwards in the hall.  The children had the opportunity to ask questions and they got answers from the authorities.  Representatives from Legal Aid, Social Workers joined the event also, and engaged with the children to inform them of the help they can expect.

“Jacaranda Children's Home cares for children aged 3 to 18 years. The home, located in Pretoria, provides a safe and nurturing environment for children who have been placed in their care by the Children's Court. They offer therapy, medical care, and support to help these children develop into responsible and confident adults.”

Specialized help and protection are only accessible when the victims know where to find it.  Outreaches like this gives that access.  It is an opportunity for the child to be heard and to gain knowledge which he/she can benefit from but can also pass on to their peers.

Children’s safety is the responsibility of every citizen, not only the parents and law enforcement, courts and social services. Safeguarding children focuses on empowerment, prevention, protection, proportionality, partnerships and accountability.  The goal should be that their rights are being upheld, their wellbeing prioritized and best interests secured. 

Abused children, while in the unfit living conditions, often regard their environment as ‘normal’ as this is the only reality they know.  They do not know that something new can be better.  Trust is the catalyst.  By this outreach, children were introduced to the key protectors of their humanity and by interacting with the persons in authority, they embark on that road of trust.

“We strongly believe in team activities, hence our participation in, and support of these activities.  Children’s voices must be heard and must be acted upon.  The visibility of law enforcement and the opportunity to engage with them, social workers and court officials all enforce the child’s trust in authorities”.  Wayne van Onselen, Founder and Executive Director, Unchain Our Children.

Report Child Abuse:  Call Unchain Our Children’s National Crisis Centre:  067 323 7116

Learn more about SAPS:  https://www.saps.gov.za/