​On Monday, 06 May 2024, Gauteng Department of Social Development together with various stakeholders interacted with Grade 11 learners at Diepsloot Secondary School as part of a build-up towards the commemoration of Child Protection Week.
The Child Protection Week is a campaign led by Department of Social Development in the country, which is commemorated annually. This year the campaign will run from May 29 to June 05, to raise awareness on rights of children as articulated in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and Children Act, which is Act No. 38 of 2005.
Interacting with learners Ayanda Dlomo from Teddy Bear Clinic, Park Town, cautioned learners against allowing anyone to touch their private parts and raised awareness statutory rape. She said, "Our clinic offers services from Social Workers, Doctors and Counsellors to children who are underage who had been sexually abused or raped".
Departmental Social Worker Zinhle Zikhali from School Intervention Program said, "Our program entails working with schools on programs such as bullying and behavioral problems. We do assessments on different challenges experienced at a school and make recommendations for further interventions which are faced by children daily".
Organizations that presented on their services include Child Line, South African Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SANCA) and Teddy Bear Clinic. The Department of Social Development has a 24-hour call centre dedicated to providing support and counselling to victims of genderbased violence. The toll-free number to call is 0800 428 428 (0800 GBV GBV) to speak to a Social Worker from the Command Centre contact them by dialing *120*7867# for free from any cell phone. Callers can also request a Social Worker from the Command Centre to contact them back.