The Children’s Hospital Trust is raising R100 000 towards strengthening. Child Protection Services at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital this Child Protection Week.
For a moment, imagine a child living in an informal settlement going to a communal toilet on their own during loadshedding at night. It is completely dark with no lights at all, and the toilet is several meters away from their home. This child is at risk of being attacked and raped.
The socio-economic and environmental circumstances children are born into put them at an even greater risk of abuse.
This Child Protection Week, the Children’s Hospital Trust is highlighting the painful reality lived by thousands of vulnerable children at risk of abuse through their campaign: I am every child: This is my reality.
With the help of many generous donors, the Children’s Hospital Trust aims to raise R100 000 towards an R8.9 million project to strengthen Child Protection Services at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital helping vulnerable children who have experienced violence, neglect and/or abuse receive medical care they need.
In 2019, between 600-700 child protection cases were referred to the hospital’s Social Work Department. One in three are cases for severe physical abuse or neglect and one in six are cases of sexual assault.
This five-year project will see a dedicated team work on improving the coordination and effectiveness of child protection care for children who come through the doors of the Hospital.
Associate Professor and Head of Clinical Unit at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital, Heloise Buys highlights the importance of the Child Protection project. “We have a moral and ethical responsibility to all our children to ensure that we prioritize their wellness and safety, and we must live up to our promises of promoting and protecting their rights – after all, the Bill of Rights and the South African Constitution enshrine their protection. We must ensure that abused children achieve their developmental potential in a safe and loving manner. If we fail, the cost to society will be immeasurable, “she says.
She adds: “The Children’s Hospital as an inclusive and fully effective children’s institution is providing not just physical healing but also focuses on the mental health aspects by ensuring professional counselling for abused children and their families.”
See Jade’s story:
We need your support so that we can help strengthen healthcare services for abused and neglected children.
100% of your donation will go towards a project that will ensure abused children are identified early and receive the proper care they need to heal.
For more information, please contact: zodidi.dano@chtrust.org.za
