The Gauteng Department of Education together with Crime Line has launched a programme aimed specifically at tackling crime in schools.
Youth are encouraged to use the facility to report any incidents of crime that occur in their schools, as well as contact police should the situation arise. The initiative came about as a result of the startling rise of school violence and other crime-related incidents. “The launch of the Young Crime Liners indicates our commitment to ensuring learning and teaching takes place in a safe environment, free from violence,” said Gauteng Education MEC Barbara Creecy.
The programme has been in operation since 30 October and is set to provide Gauteng pupils with the tools needed to report crime and social issues anonymously with the aim of not only rooting out criminal behaviour, but also providing social interventions in connection with incidences of bullying and abuse. “We have seen a number of videos go viral and stories dominating headlines of a variety of crimes perpetrated by or against children at schools in the province. They range from cases of sexual abuse, bullying, drug dealing and violence. Unfortunately these cases go mainly unreported with tragic consequences,” said head of Crime Line Yusuf Abramjee.
Through the initiative the education department and the police want to reassure children that they are protected and remind them that they have the platform to speak out about any problem they have at school, and even at home.
Details: Police emergency line 10111, SMS Crime Line 32211.
