Laudium CPF in partnership with police spread crime awareness at local schools

The Laudium CPF, along with local police officers and the Kopano Manyano NPO, recently visited and cleaned up the Blessed Angels creche on Bengal Street.

CPF spokesperson Shaheen Wahab said the team cleaned up the premises before engaging with the kids, assuring them that the police weren’t their enemies, but their friends.

“They were also reminded of the SAPS’s Crime Stop contact numbers,” Wahab said.

Afterwards, the team visited and held talks at Jacaranda Primary School and Himalaya Secondary School.

Learners from both schools were reminded about what to do whenever they experienced discomfort in their environment.

Wahab said the learners were told about bullying, fighting, gangsterism and substance abuse in and around school premises.

Here are his tips on how to keep the environment safe:

– Foster open communication with children

For parents what’s important is to talk to your child as often as possible and listen to your child whenever you can, and more importantly when they have something to say. Further to that, create an environment where your child can communicate without fear or judgement.

– Encourage confidence and courage in children

The best possibility of safety belongs to a child who is fearless, courageous and actualised. A child has a greater likelihood of being unsafe if he or she is timid, fearful, and afraid of using his or her voice.

A child’s development of these traits should be the top priority for both families and schools.

– Stay informed about online safety and set up child protection measures on devices

It is very difficult for parents and schools to manage the new safety problems that social media provides, such as children portraying a different persona online and secretly communicating.

However, keeping up with current events and developments in the digital world and ensuring that kid safety features are included on gadgets can go a long way toward assuring your child’s safety.

– Incorporate safety awareness into the curriculum

There are a few more things that schools can do to go above and beyond the general safety precautions and procedures that they are required to implement and follow.

One of the options is to include safety awareness in the curriculum, whether by consciously including topics that address children’s safety or by openly discussing it and assisting kids (especially younger children) in understanding what safety means.

– Do your part in building strong relationships with parents, teachers and friends

Having honest and trusting relationships with the people who matter most in your life as a child, such as your parents and teachers, can give you protection.

Having open communication with those who matter can help you avoid feeling alone.

– Speak up and speak out

Children can be inspired to build a caring neighbourhood where everyone feels safe and watches out for one another.

It can be easier to speak up when you’re part of a group where you feel accepted and like you belong.

In addition to helping others, this makes children feel proud and secure about being a part of a welcoming community.

He concluded by saying ensuring the safety of children should be a top priority for everyone involved in their lives.

“Parents, teachers, and communities must work together to create a safe environment for children to thrive so that each child can reach their full potential.”

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