CHILD PROTECTION BEGINS AT HOME, SAY FAMILIES AND PRACTITIONERS

By Lerato Digoamaje.

• As incidents of child abuse and neglect continue to alarm communities across South Africa, families and social development officials are calling for a renewed focus on the home as the starting point for child protection.
• From grassroots dialogues to national campaigns, the message is becoming increasingly clear: while government plays a vital role, parents and caregivers remain the first line of defence in the wellbeing and safety of every child.
• ⁠Through recent outreach efforts in the North West province and beyond, communities have expressed strong concern about the role of societal norms and family dynamics in shaping children’s lives—both positively and negatively.

As South Africa marked Child Protection Week, led by Minister Sisisi Tolashe in the Free State, sobering statistics reminded the country of the scale of the challenge. According to SAPS data, 751 child abuse cases were recorded in the North West alone in the 2024/2025 financial year. Nationally, over 26,000 cases were reported, many involving sexual abuse, neglect and exploitation.
During outreach at Thari Primary School in Moses Kotane Local Municipality, parents, educators, and social workers came together under the banner “Working together to end violence against children.” Their message was simple but profound: safety must begin at home, where children feel protected, listened to, and loved.
In a deeply reflective conversation, community members pointed to cultural and economic pressures that affect how children are raised. “The saying, ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ used to mean something. But now, many of us look away because it is not our child who is being abused,” said one caregiver. “This silence allows harm to continue unchecked.”
Government-led programmes, including the reintroduction of the Chommy initiative in Moses Kotane, aim to address this gap. These school-based interventions create safe spaces for children to speak up and learn about their rights, but they also serve as a reminder that families must take responsibility too. Children need the freedom to speak openly in their homes—without fear or shame.
Child and Youth Care Centres (CYCCs) across the North West, such as Care 2be Kind and SOS Children’s Village, provide holistic support to children who have experienced trauma. These centres work hand-in-hand with schools, clinics, and welfare services to ensure children receive schooling, counselling, health screenings, and life skills development. But their impact is maximised when the home environment reinforces their work.
Corporal punishment, emotional detachment, and the normalisation of gender-based violence in some households were also identified as barriers to creating safe environments. Studies show that children who grow up in emotionally supportive households are more likely to report abuse and less likely to repeat cycles of violence.
The Department of Social Development continues to advocate for family strengthening, working closely with parents and guardians to encourage open communication, empathy, and child-centred care. Through consistent outreach, awareness campaigns, and psychosocial support, the Department seeks to equip families with the tools to protect and empower their children.
Ultimately, every intervention from national policies to village-level dialogues can only succeed if families are willing to engage honestly with the role they play in safeguarding childhood.
“The government cannot do it alone. As families, we must rise to the challenge of raising children who are free from fear and full of hope,” said a social worker during the engagement.
In Bloemhof, the recent abandonment of a newborn baby in Boitumelong served as a stark reminder of the consequences of inaction. That child is now under government care, but her story echoes the urgent need for families, communities, and society at large to act collectively.
Child protection is not just a legal responsibility, it is a moral one. It begins with the choices made at home each day. And if every household answers this call with care and accountability, we move closer to building a society where every child is safe, valued, and given the chance to thrive.