Latest news with #Children'sAct38of2005
IOL News
29-05-2025
- IOL News
Cwecwe's case: A call for urgent reform in child protection in South Africa
Awam Mavimbela is a registered social worker, former Walter Sisulu University Lecturer, PhD candidate with University of the Free State, and a published author Image: Supplied THE recent public outcry and marches demanding justice for Cwecwe raise a critical question: how well does the South African state protect its children? This is a fundamental concern in social work, which is guided by legal and policy frameworks such as the Children's Act 38 of 2005 on its curriculum. Statistics show a troubling rise in crimes against children. Between 2015/16 and 2019/20, these crimes increased by 6.3 percentage points. Specifically, the per capita rape rate among children rose from 96 per 100,000 in 2015/16 to 103 in 2018/19. In 2015/16 alone, the rate of sexual assault was 20 per 100,000 children. Unfortunately, despite policy developments and awareness campaigns, violence against women and children continues to escalate. Reports of gender-based violence (GBV) remain inadequate, with many cases going unreported. This suggests that over 2 million households may be experiencing GBV trauma in silence, as statistics South Africa reported more than 2 million women experience gender-based violence. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading According to Stats SA, there is a disturbing rise in homelessness, with children under 15 making up a significant portion. Of those in shelters, 45.7% are children, while 26.9% live on the streets. Each year, an estimated 1,697 children are reported missing about one every five hours. While 77% of these cases are resolved, the remaining 23% represent children who are never found, trafficked, or found deceased. These harsh realities severely impact children's rights, like, inter alia, education, health, and safety & security. Abuse-related depressive disorders impair concentration and academic performance. According to the University of Oklahoma's Suicide Prevention Resource Center, emotional distress leads to poor academic outcomes and reduced quality of life. Supporting this, 2024 scientific data depict the Eastern Cape as ranked among the top provinces for child sexual assault and was second-last in matric pass rates, at 84.8%. Undeniably, part of the problems experienced by learners not academically performing well is gender-based violence. Unquestionably, the unrest both in physical protests and on social media demands better justice systems for learners or toddlers like Cwecwe. Thousands of unemployed, qualified social workers could help safeguard children's rights by providing support such as temporary shelter. However, despite their training, many are not actively involved in addressing these crises, often relegated to charity work due to unemployment. With this in mind, this then seeks to say directly/indirectly that it is the responsibility of Department of Social Development to ensure that children's rights are protected. The Department of Social Development must study tragic cases like Cwecwe's and implement proactive strategies. This includes proposing stricter punishments for child abuse and neglect and expanding shelter options for vulnerable children. Children are the future of any nation, and the rising rates of abuse—emotional, physical, and psychological—paint a dire picture of our societal health and future of the country. Fighting GBV is not only a legal issue, but also a responsibility of the Department of Social Development. Social workers, trained to protect and advocate for children's rights, are essential in this battle. This is even articulated the 1997 social welfare white paper. However, the overwhelming workloads of social workers employed by DSD and high unemployment rates of social workers hinder progress.
IOL News
18-05-2025
- General
- IOL News
Understanding the challenges faced by South African youth after foster care
When one is 18, the next step would be to further studies, but for children exiting the system they are faced with lacked family and financial support. Image: Armand Hough/Independent Newspapers In South Africa, a child can be placed in foster care until they turn 18 years old, with the possibility of extensions until the age of 21 if certain conditions are met, under section 180 of the Children' 's Act 38 of 2005. Many factors land a child in a situation where they are no longer in their birth parents' care and are homeless or are in foster care - a child of the system. Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) demographic analysis indicates that the homeless population comprises approximately 7% children (0-17 years) and 44% youth (15-34 years). Although youths face different hurdles in their transition to adulthood, those in child and youth care centres experience significant challenges resulting from their past experiences of harm, neglect, abuse and separation from parents. Youth transitioning out of foster care who do not live with relatives often face greater difficulties compared to other young people. Many have no financial, adult or any other support required to transition successfully to adulthood. Receiving little to no preparatory services from social workers for their transition to adulthood The next step often becomes a stumbling block, for youth trying to figure out how to independently function. When one is 18, the next step would be to further studies, but for children exiting the system they are faced with barely any family and financial support, and as a result, find entry into tertiary education more difficult than their peers in the general population do. Lack of skills in managing finances, finding housing, and accessing healthcare, result in youth exiting youth care centres facing instability and homelessness. With a lack of support, and youths transitioning from residential care to independent living they struggle to find employment. Studies have shown that many youths transitioning out of the system do not have permanent jobs and earn incomes below the poverty line. Preparing youth aging out of foster care for independent living is crucial for a successful transition to adulthood. This preparation should involve addressing the developmental needs of young people within their care and permanency plans. Furthermore, all foster children aged 15 and older should have the opportunity to participate in an independent living program. Böning and Ferreira's study recommended individualized foster care plans for all foster children, including those in non-kinship care. These plans should include specific, needs-based objectives, timelines, and assigned individuals responsible for implementation. This recommendation aligns with section 157(1)(a)(iii) of South Africa's Children's Act 38 of 2005, which mandates that social workers create individual care plans for every child in alternative care. Despite these challenges, several NGOs are actively working to support these vulnerable youths: Baphumelele Children's Home – Fountain of Hope Located in Cape Town, Baphumelele's Fountain of Hope program offers a 12-month residential initiative for youths aged 18–21 transitioning from care. It provides life skills training, educational support, and agricultural work experience, aiming to equip participants with tools for independent living. U-Turn, Khulisa Streetscapes, and MES – Coalition to End Homelessness These Cape Town-based organizations have formed a coalition focusing on rehabilitation, skills development, and employment opportunities for homeless individuals, including youths. Their collaborative approach addresses immediate needs while promoting long-term self-sufficiency. Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator Harambee addresses youth unemployment by connecting first-time job seekers with employers. Their programs offer skills training and job placement services, providing economic opportunities that can prevent homelessness among youths exiting care. IOL
IOL News
09-05-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Child protection organisation cautions against public exposure of child victims with some masked as advocacy
Child Protection Organisation (CPO), CMR North, has sounded the alarm regarding a disturbing trend in the public exposure of child abuse victims. The organisation highlights that not every platform is a safe space for children to unpack their trauma, as increasing instances of digital and media disclosures jeopardise the emotional wellbeing of vulnerable individuals. CMR North's General Manager, Dr Ronel Aylward, expressed profound concern about the growing number of individuals and entities utilising media platforms to advocate for child protection cases. While intentions may claim to be rooted in awareness and advocacy, the organisation said that the impact on the child can be profoundly damaging. "We understand the growing public interest in child protection. But not every forum is a safe one for a child's trauma to be unpacked,' Aylward explained. 'We urge all institutions that claim to act on behalf of children to consider the long-term psychological consequences of public exposure. The child's best interest must remain paramount, not the adult's reputation or agenda.' The organisation also cites extensive research revealing that even when a child's name is withheld, exposure to their trauma can lead to re-traumatisation, withdrawal, shame, anxiety, and disrupted emotional development. 'Research confirms that even when a child's name is withheld, repeated exposure to their trauma story can retraumatise them, leading to withdrawal, shame, anxiety, and disrupted emotional development. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network has found that children involved in publicised abuse cases face a higher risk of PTSD, social isolation, and long-term mental health challenges. UNICEF further warns that such exposure can derail a child's recovery. especially when they are still navigating the legal and emotional complexities of their abuse. Children deserve privacy, dignity, and safety, not a public stage.' The CPO also emphasises the legal framework provided by the Children's Act 38 of 2005 that mandates adults to report reasonable suspicions of child danger. This legal imperative empowers designated Child Protection Organisations to act swiftly, even before all details are known, ensuring that children's safety remains the foremost priority throughout legal proceedings. When asked about distinguishing between aiding and harming through social media, the CPO stated, 'The difference lies in intent versus impact. While many people believe they are raising awareness, the unintended impact is often harm, especially when children's stories are shared without full context or consent. True advocacy protects the vulnerable; it does not expose them. If a post identifies a child, implies their story, or invites public speculation, it risks harming the very child it claims to support. Ethical advocacy amplifies the issue, not the individual. When in doubt, ask: Is this in the child's best interest, or is it serving an adult's need to be seen, heard, or vindicated?' Saturday Star
