In a move to bolster child safety, the Department of Social Development has embarked on a nationwide child protection programme to combat child abuse.
According to the department, increased stats of more than 26 000 cases of child abuse and neglect, were reported in the 2024/25 financial year.
“Cases of sexual abuse remained dominant in all provinces, with 9 859 cases throughout the country. Deliberate neglect is the second most prevalent in all provinces, with 9 485 cases, followed by physical abuse, with 3 965 recorded cases and 595 of abandonment,” the department indicated.
During the official program’s launch in Thaba Nchu in the Free State, Minister Sisisi Tolashe expressed concern about pregnancy cases of young girls aged between 10-14 years-old, describing them as a deep-rooted evil against children.
Tolashe, who acknowledged the strides made in the safety of children, called for continuous efforts towards child protection.
“Government alone cannot succeed in dealing with this monster that we’re faced with, hence we appeal to parents, community, religious and traditional leaders to work closer in addressing social ills, harmful social, cultural and religious practices that are detrimental to the well-being of children and change societal norms and values that perpetuate violence against children.
I urge that we continue to scale up interventions at the local ward level with all hands-on decks to end violence against children,” she appealed.
This year’s Child Protection Month is observed under the theme, working together in ending violence against children.
