Awareness about drug and sexual abuse provided to learners
Mathonsi said the students were not only paying attention, but also participating and asking questions
The Estcourt Support & Resource Centre paid a visit to KwaZamokuhle Special School in Loskop yesterday (March 7) to hold a presentation to the students about sexual abuse, domestic violence and drug abuse.
The centre was accompanied by Life-Line and the Estcourt Family Violence, Child Protection & Sexual Offences Unit (FCS).
The centre’s paralegal and office manager, Phumelele Mathonsi, said they took the decision to visit because, as much as the institution is a special needs school, they also sometimes experience cases that include harassment. “As we all know, the school caters to both genders, male and female, who are boarder and day scholars. They are also of different ages, so some have already reached the level of a love relationship and as a result, their guardians sometimes receive sexual abuse complaints.”
Also read: Five-year-old child killed in accident
Mathonsi continued that, “We saw the significance of raising awareness at the school because, no matter what condition they are in, they need to know their rights regarding sexual abuse. The learners should know what to do should anything ‘wrong’ happen to their bodies.’’
It was also said that, because drug abuse affects many communities and families, the centre found it very important to spread awareness at primary school level instead of at high school.
“We should not hide domestic violence, because children get affected when their parents are fighting at home to the extent that a child ends up getting affected even at school, without knowing how to report the problem,” said Mathonsi.
She said their awareness campaigns have not just started, but have been in existence for a long time. She stressed that, in conjunction with the SAPS and other stakeholders, they will continue to visit different schools in and around Estcourt.
Click to receive news links via WhatsApp. Or for the latest news, visit our webpage or follow us on Facebook and Twitter. Join us there!
