Primary school honours ‘Child Protection Week’
The learners were educated in recognising the signs of abuse and to report or talk to an adult they trust when they feel unsafe
Khethelihle Primary School held a Child Abuse Awareness Day on Friday, as this past week was Child Protection Week. The principal, Mrs NI Khumalo, ensured that the day’s programme was filled with speakers from Life Line, SAPS, Childline, DSD, Department of Health, Special Needs Education, the school’s Soul Buddyz and KwaZulu Private Ambulance Service.
What is child abuse?
It is any deliberate action or failure to act that causes physical injury, emotional harm or even death to a child.
The learners were educated in recognising the signs of abuse and to report or talk to an adult they trust when they feel unsafe. The speakers gave them a few examples of the different types of abuse, namely physical abuse (hitting, punching, kicking, burns, human bites and beatings), sexual abuse (inappropriate touching, grabbing, flashing, peeping, fondling and rape, to name a few), emotional abuse (verbal abuse, rejection, criticism, threats, belittling, insulting, lack of affection, withdrawal of love and attention), neglect (not providing a child with basic needs such as food, warmth and hygiene) and child exploitation (when adults use children for their financial or personal gain, for example child labour or pornography).
The learners were taught what to do if they are abused. For example, don’t bath after being raped or sexually abused, because you wash away the evidence. They were also told to go to their nearest police station to report abuse or report it on Child Line.
Afterwards, the learners gathered at the gate to have a peaceful march through the streets of eMondlo. Their message was ‘Stop Child Abuse’.
Childline: 116
South African Police Services (SAPS): 08600 10111 or 10111
Department of Social Development (social worker): 0800 428 428
Human Trafficking Hotline: 0800 222 777
‘Always remember that you are not alone and you do not deserve to be abused.’
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