Olievenhoutbosch receives its own child protection hotline
“Abuse by parents and teachers is also common. People sometimes don’t even realise that they are abusing children. A common example is that of parents or teachers calling children all sorts of names which is a form of bullying.”
Olievenhoutbosch received its own child protection helpline last Friday, the 16th such facility in the area.
Spokesperson for the helpline and founder of Toys 4 Africa Danie van Loggerenberg said the line was a child-friendly facility where anyone from Olievenhoutbosch could call, WhatsApp, or SMS to report abuse, neglect or bullying. Residents can now report child abuse at 071-594-3572.
Olievenhoutbosch police, CPF members from sector 3 and members from Khuluma attended the launch.
Khuluma is a non-profit organisation consisting of social workers based at Olievenhoutbosch, Erasmia, Wierdabrug and Lyttelton police stations and forms part of the police’s victim empowerment programme.
Van Loggerenberg said the service was free of charge, except where someone had to use data to contact them. Members worked shifts in order for the hotline to be available 24/7.
“We have corporate support in the form of sponsors such as King Price and Ukuvuma Solutions and Mediators. There are, however, various free Tshwane Wi-Fi spots available at schools or parks, where children can contact us from.”
Van Loggerenberg said they cannot help children without the assistance of the police because they investigate reported cases.
“We don’t advise children how to handle abuse, we put them in contact with a support system.”
Spokesperson for Olievenhoutbosch police Sergeant Pretty Mokadi said they mostly dealt with cases of child neglect.
“Abuse by parents and teachers is also common. People sometimes don’t even realise they are abusing children. A common example is that of parents or teachers calling children all sorts of names which is a form of bullying.
“We also deal with cases where rape and other sexual offences were reported.”
Sergeant Semakaleng Malatji, who is in charge of CPF sector 3 and was also present, said they also dealt with cases of substance abuse.
“We find that many children abuse substances such as nyaope, marijuana and alcohol.” Spokesperson for Khuluma Sara Molea said they focused on family counselling.
“We educate, and do containment, referrals and empowerment. If a child needs to be removed from parents, we do it in co-operation with the police.”
Ben Mokgothu, CPF sector 3 spokesperson, said the CPF is the first responders in the community, including child protection cases.
“We assist the police when they search schools, and we also assist in patrolling the area.”
Manuel Capazorio, corporate business owner supporting the child protection hotline unit, said it was important that local business owners got involved and took hands with role players in the community “to address the evil of child abuse”.
“The support of corporate business owners empowers the authorities having to deal with it.”
Van Loggerenberg said Centurion’s hotline was already operating and another one was launched in Hammanskraal last week. Midstream would follow next.
“We also wrote a book, Heroes in Blue, to inform children and the community members of support available to them. We also have teddy bears that we give to traumatised children to offer them some kind of comfort.”
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