National Child Protection Week, 31 May to 7 June 2020, is commemorated in South Africa annually to raise awareness of the rights of children as defined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and Children’s Act. The theme for this year’s campaign is “Let us Protect All Children to Move South Africa Forward”.

As the only dedicated specialist paediatric hospital in the Province, the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital sees a significant number of children in critical conditions as a result of violence and abuse, many of whom present through its Emergency Centre.

In addition, several cases are referred in by other institutions, as often the expertise for dealing with small children is not readily available in these facilities, or the injuries incurred require specialist medical management that is only available at Red Cross Hospital. However, the current facilities for optimal care of child protection patients and families are inadequate, with cases having to be examined in the trauma unit along with all other patients. The Hospital therefore urgently requires a dedicated Child Protection Room that will provide the following:

  • A supportive, child-friendly area that provides privacy to conduct sensitive interviews and examinations and is also a place of solace which will aid the child’s recovery.
  • A space that enables the required integrated care by the attending doctor, nurses, social workers and a dedicated police liaison officer to conduct the medical-legal aspects.
  • An area to train and skill other doctors, nurses and social workers to assist and support these children and their families.

“You need a very particular integrated child protection environment. Making the Child Protection Room within the Hospital’s Emergency Centre a reality will be something lifesaving for traumatised children. This area will also provide the necessary scope for follow-ups with children with all types of non-accidental injuries. It will be a child-friendly environment that allows for crisis intervention and linkage to social services, the South African Police Services as well as judicial services”, says Carla Brown, Head of the Social Work Division at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital.

In addition, Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital also offers a Social Work Programme which provides support to victims of abuse and their families or guardians.

“Through the Hospital’s Social Work Child Protection Programme, we are able to ensure that children receive the necessary counselling and support to enable their holistic recovery and ongoing safety”.

You can help make the Child Protection Room within the Emergency Centre a reality and help maintain the dignity of all children by donating towards the upgrade and expansion of the Emergency Centre. Click here to donate today.