A Childline KZN social worker facilitating a child protection programme at a school. Through open conversation and education, children are helped to understand their rights, recognise unsafe situations and know their voices matter.
As Childline KwaZulu-Natal marks 40 years, the focus has remained steadfast on the vital intersection between community support and the criminal justice system in safeguarding the province’s children.
The 24/7 Crisis Helpline responded to almost 40 000 calls on average annually. These include matters of abuse (38.64%), neglect (32.44%), poverty (12.56%), substance abuse (8.69%), and school problems (7.67%).
The Siyakhanyisa Prevention & Outreach reached 58 389 children, parents, caregivers, and community members. Under the Victim Empowerment Program/Therapeutic Department, 1 529 new cases were recorded, and 2 323 counselling sessions were held.
Guest speaker at Childline KZN’s annual general meeting on Wednesday afternoon, Advocate Omashani Naidoo, National Prosecuting Authority acting deputy director of Public Prosecutions: Sexual Offences and Community Affairs Unit, KZN, highlighted that children often refrain from reporting abuse due to a combination of significant barriers.
