Dlamini urges action on protection of vulnerable children

(Image: GCIS)

"We pledge to take proactive action to end the abuse, neglect and exploitation of children in our country," Dlamini said.

The minister on Monday said as the South African government was launching Child Protection Week, leaders were renewing their pledge to care for and support South African children without fear or favour, and to work to identify more child victims of abuse and to help protect them.

Dlamini was delivering a keynote address at the opening of the South African Conference on Orphans, Children and Youth made vulnerable by HIV and Aids, which included the launch of Child Protection Week and Pledge held at Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban.

The 2013 theme of the conference is 'Changing Children and Young People's Lives'.

The aim of the conference is to evaluate the progress made with respect to recommendations of the 2006 conference and highlight models of protection, care and support that working in addressing the plight of orphans, vulnerable children and youth.

The conference will further look at the gaps and challenges that still exist and take stock of the contribution made by the National Action Plan for orphans and other children made vulnerable by HIV and Aids in addressing those gaps.

Dlamini said she was cognisant of the fact that protecting children was a shared national responsibility. "Our elders have taught us that it takes a village to raise a child. That is why we say umntwana wakho, ngumntwana wam', your child is my child and my child is your child.

"We commit ourselves to make children aware of online risks, so that they can enjoy their online lives without fear. And we pledge to reduce the availability of online child sexual abuse material."

She reaffirmed government's commitment to continue its efforts to address violence against women and children through partnerships and effecting the relevant policies and programmes. "We pledge our political will and our common and national commitment to protect our children and to reducing the high levels of violence against women and children."

Brutality in child-related cases on the rise

Speaking at the same conference, Minister of Women, Children and People with Disabilities Lulu Xingwana raised concern over studies which show that violent crimes reported against children are decreasing; however, the level of brutality involved in the little reported crimes has become very severe.

The minister said her department, with the support of the Department of Social Development and UNICEF, in 2012 published a report on violence against children, which entails sections on violence against children in the family; violence against children in the school; violence against children in the community, and violence against children in the care and justice systems.

The report, she said, outlined important prevention and protection interventions that can be used to ensure that children are protected and that violence is prevented.

"In the report, we also outline root causes of abuse and various family and community elements that influence the negative behaviour of child abusers."

Xingwana said the study further showed unacceptably high levels of violence against children, particularly at family, community and societal level.

"We also noted that children with disabilities had higher prevalence of neglect, physical abuse and sexual abuse than other children.

"Children with disabilities are also substantially more likely to be sexually abused than other children. The study reports that children with disabilities are easy targets for abuse because they may be less able to report the abuse to the police."

She revealed that most children with physical or mental disabilities relied on adults for assistance with their personal care, which involved considerable contact with their bodies.

"Potential offenders may use this as an opportunity to abuse children and the abuse can remain concealed as it forms part of an everyday care routine," she warned.