Be cautious during exams
"Do not make the common mistake in assuming that it would not happen to my child”.
Police have cautioned learners to stay on their toes during the exam period.
Learners writing their final examinations throughout the country could be be exposed to danger, say police.
The SA Police Service (SAPS) said it was committed to managing and preventing crime and violence in and out of schools.
“To ensure maximum safety of the children, we require the support of both parents and children and we urge them to be vigilant at all times,” it said.
The freedom of not having to remain in school after writing exams, could leave children unsupervised.
“They could be exposed to dangers such as gangsterism, drug and alcohol abuse, kidnapping, contact crimes (assault, murder and rape), drowning, motor vehicle accidents, child pornography and suicides.”
Police urged parents to talk to their children and make them aware of these possible dangers.
“Communication with your child is critical in the prevention of such incidents, do not take matters for granted and do not make the common mistake in assuming that it would not happen to my child.”
It said a major concern was the easy access to the internet learners had.
“Children must be closely monitored when they are online and should be educated on what sites they should and should not visit”.
“Let them know they can talk to you or educators if they see anything online makes them uncomfortable, whether it’s an explicit website or classmate bullying them or someone else through email, chat or website.”
Police provided tips to help you prevent your child from becoming a victim:
– Map out with your children a safe way for them to walk to school or to bus stop. Advise them to avoid bushy areas, construction areas, empty areas, passages and parks where there aren’t many people or adequate lighting.
– Teach children to follow traffic signals and rules when walking. Stress that they should cross the street at crosswalks or intersections with scholar patrols when they can.
– Encourage children to walk to and from school or bus stop with a sibling or friend and to wait at bus stops with other children. Not walking around talking on your cell phone as it will distract you from what is going around and it can also attract criminals.
– Teach children not to talk to strangers, go anywhere with them, or accept gifts from them without your permission. Never should never accept lifts from strangers. Tell them that if they see a suspicious stranger hanging around or in their school they should tell an adult.
– Communicate. When you as a parent observes significant danger signs in the child`s life, it is important to ask him/her whether she/he is having thoughts of hurting him/herself. It is relieving to the child when someone or a parent cares enough to ask that question. Tell the child that suicide in not an answer after failing.
– Supervision – children should always be under adult’s supervision when swimming or when handling crickets. (during festive season)
– Help children memorise their phone numbers and full address. Write down other important phone numbers such as your work and cell phone on a card for your children to carry with them.
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