“We want our children to know and understand their body parts as well as knowing what is appropriate and what is not. Our children need to know they can tell their parents, guardians or teachers if someone is touching them inappropriately or saying inappropriate things to them”, That is according to the Gauteng Social Development, Social Worker, Madikubo Tuge. 
She was speaking during the department’s child protection awareness event held at Boiketlong Primary school near Sebokeng, last Friday, 23 September 2022. 

Tuge said it is well acknowledged that a child’s ability to learn is affected not only by the quality of teaching and access to resources but also by its health, well-being, and emotional state of mind. 

She raised concern that children who suffer abuse or neglect often react by becoming withdrawn or anti-social in school. 

“Some learners become disruptive or even violent at school, bullying other children and forming gangs. Many of these children drop out of school and are at risk of drug and alcohol abuse. Unless children are adequately nurtured and protected from harm, no amount of improvement to the schooling environment will yield better educational outcomes and we hope this intervention at an early stage will go a long way in their lives,” added Tuge. 

Social Worker, Thapelo Kwinda, cautioned teachers, parents, and guardians to be observant to changing behaviour or patterns of the children. 

“If a vibrant and outspoken child suddenly behaves differently, that is a red flag to pay attention and calmly ask questions and also to be observant of signs of child abuse”, she said. 

Kwinda encouraged children to speak out about things that they are not comfortable with and are being done to them. Parents also needed to keep tabs on their children’s whereabouts and keep a close eye on them. “It's our shared responsibility as parents, families, communities and government to ensure that all of our children are safe from harm and grow up in nurturing environments”, she added. 

Children’s rights are entrenched in Section 28 in the Bill of Rights in the Constitution of South Africa. These rights are in the best interest of all children under the age of 18 years old.