MANGWENI – “Let there be peace, love and respect in our families.” This is the goal social worker, Ms Gugu Mkhaba and the Ethembeni Drop-in Centre are working towards with their Stop Child Abuse campaign.
Mkhaba is teaching youth in the local community about child abuse, the types of abuse and steps that should be taken to stop it. “Many of the kids that are being abused are not aware that this is wrong. Most suffer at the hands of relatives or a close friend,” she said.
Abuse includes:
• sexual acts like rape, inappropriate touching and molestation,
• physical action like hitting, slapping, kicking or cutting and
• emotional abuse like neglect, threats and manipulation.
Signs of child abuse include sadness, fear of adults or other children, low self-esteem, problems paying attention, depression, aggression and anger.
READ: Know the warning signs of child abuse
Children may regularly have unexplained bruises, marks, burns or cuts or provide unbelievable explanations of these injuries.
Through the campaign, Mkhaba hopes to encourage children and adults to report abuse. She urges children to speak to adults they trust, like family friends, teachers, police officers or social workers.
READ: Help raise awareness in the fight against child abuse
Adults have a responsibility to report abuse to the police and social workers to ensure children’s safety and well-being. Both children and adults can report abuse on Childline’s toll-free number at 080-005-5555.
Ethembeni feeds a maximum of 200 kids every weekday and is always in need of donations to help feed and support the underprivileged.
Anyone who is interested in supporting the centre with donations of money or food, can contact Mkhaba on 082-683-4455 or Thokozani Zulu on 082-938-1370.
