Childline: A call away

Children’s Day celebrated in November, Review spoke to Priscilla Molaudzi, director of Childline Polokwane about the services they offer to children and how these services help children.

Childline is an effective non-profit organisation that works collectively to protect children from all forms of violence and to create a culture of children’s rights in South Africa.

Childline is a 24-hour toll-free help line and supportive therapeutic social services for children who have been victims of violence and their families.

The provincial office offers the following programmes to children: crisis line, prevention and education, training of volunteers, training of other professionals who work in child protection, therapy for abused and traumatised children and their families, court preparation for child witnesses, networking and coordination and advocacy.

Molaudzi said: “Our toll free line, 08000 55 555 is operational 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year. We are always available to assist anyone who calls the help line.

“Statistics show that we receive over 4 000 calls a month. Most of the calls are from children with problems.

“When the children call, they are assisted over the phone, but sometimes the cases are so serious that we have to get police and social workers involved,” she said.

“Parents must get involved in their children’s day to day activities and know their whereabouts. Children are not safe these days, child abuse is out there, it is real and it happens.”

According to Molaudzi, it is also the responsibility of the community and neighbours to report all abuse. “The community must not look away because it is not happening in their homes. They should help children who are abused, even if it is by their parents,” she said.

Childline currently has offices in Phalaborwa, Thohoyandou, Lephalale, Thabazimbi and Modimolle with qualified social workers always ready to help callers at any time.