Child-friendly facility opens at Benoni Police Station

A newly upgraded child-friendly reporting facility was opened at the Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit at Benoni police station on December 18, thanks to the dedicated efforts of the NGO Matla A Bana (strength to the children in Sesotho).

The significant development aims to provide a supportive and comforting environment for child victims of sexual abuse, helping to minimise their trauma during police interviews.

The facility was made possible through the generous contributions of sponsors, including Medlec Projects CC and Business Against Crime (BACSA).

Lizel van Eden, Project Manager at Matla A Bana, explained that this initiative is part of a broader mission to establish similar child-friendly reporting centers across South Africa.

The organisation also distributes comfort packs to child victims, which contain essential items to provide immediate relief and support.

“The primary mission of Matla A Bana is to minimise secondary abuse that children often face when reporting incidents of sexual violence,” van Eden said.

She emphasised the critical need for a safe space where all children can feel secure while sharing their experiences.

“In this newly upgraded facility, police officers have received specialised training to conduct interviews in a way that is less intimidating for young victims of both genders.

“The interviews can be recorded and used as evidence in court, with a particular focus on supporting girl victims, who are disproportionately affected by sexual violence.’ However, it was also noted there is an increase in reported cases involving boys.

“While girls remain the predominant victims, we are seeing more boys coming forward to report their experiences, highlighting the need for comprehensive support for all child victims,” van Eden said.

“This new facility not only helps in gathering accurate testimonies but also aims to reduce the psychological burden on the children involved.”

Van Eden expressed her gratitude towards the Benoni SAPS for their collaboration in establishing this facility and noted the significance of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that was developed through extensive relationship building with the FCS unit.

“It took a lot of relationship building; without our relationship, especially with the FCS, we cannot help these children effectively,” she explained.

Brigadier Phumzile Zulu, Head of Provincial FCS, acknowledged the challenges faced during this initiative but praised the partnership with Matla A Bana.

“Without Matla A Bana, there is no other NGO providing what they offer. We appreciate their contributions not only through the facility but also for the community members they support,” Zulu remarked.

She emphasised that the work done by the organisation is critical in addressing child abuse and providing necessary resources for recovery.

Colonel Cecile Veldman, Head of Unit at Benoni SAPS, also expressed appreciation for Matla A Bana’s choice to establish this facility in Benoni.

“Thank you for your generous contribution; keep up the good work,” she encouraged.

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