BOOKLET ON SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN A Guide for Parents, Teachers and Caregivers INTRODUCTION This booklet aims to serve as a guide to Parents, Teachers and Caregivers concerning children who have been, or being abused sexually. It defines sexual abuse and describes what to do. It is also designed to raise awareness among all parents and guardians about the sexual abuse of children so that they can help prevent it. There are many different ways in which children are sexually abused. It may involve a single incident of sexual abuse or it may be an ongoing situation. Keep in mind that a child can be physically forced, blackmailed or threatened into doing something that she/he does not wish to do. The child may be scared, depressed and unhappy. The child may want to talk about what happened or may not want to talk about it at all. Sexual violence is one of the most painful and disturbing things that can happen to any child. Children who have been sexually abused may have a lot of different and often conflicting feelings and reactions after a sexual act was committed, but remember, there is no right or wrong way to feel afterwards – every child is an individual with his/her own complex feelings. In this booklet we describe the different processes that need to take place when a child discloses an act of sexual abuse. A child may report an incident to an adult whom they trust, such as an adult in the family, a teacher or even an older child. It is very important that you, as parent, guardian, family member or friend, find someone to give you advice and support. We have therefore listed a range of organisations you can contact for information and guidance, or who will refer you to the support services closest to where you live. [illustration from sexuality educ. page 16 Molo mag issue 16 here or with ‘Who is the abuser’] DEFINING COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN THE PROCUREMENT OF A CHILD TO PERFORM A SEXUAL ACT FOR FINANCIAL OR OTHER REWARD PAYABLE TO THE XHILD, THE PARENTS OR GUARDIAN OF THE CHILD, THE PROCURER OR ANY OTHER PERSON CHILD CARE ACT (1983, AMENDED 1999) What is child sexual abuse? Sexual abuse happens when children are used for sexual gratification such as: fondling of child’s sexual parts, i.e. genitals, breasts, buttocks actual or attempted penetrative sex with a child, whether vaginal (rape) or anal (penetration through the anus) displaying or exposing a person’s genitals to a child displaying or exposing the abuser’s sexual parts to a child for sexual pleasure oral sex with a child (i.e. mouth to sexual parts) taking photographs of a child of an explicit sexual nature when an adult or older person acts in a sexually suggestive manner towards a child or threatens a child sexually. These acts are committed when an adult or someone older than the child involves the child in any form of sexual activity. In South African law children are all people under the age of 18 years. A Legal Perspective Unlawful sexual acts that are provided for by South African law are: 1. Rape: Sexual intercourse with a child under the age of 16 whether or not she consents, is regarded as rape by our common law and is a punishable offence. 1
2. Incest: Sex between blood relatives or people related by marriage or adoption, such as father and daughter. 3. Commercial Sexual Exploitation: The procurement of a child to perform a sexual act for a financial or other reward payable to the child, the parents or guardian of the child, the procurer or any other person. 4 Immoral or Indecent. Penetration through the anus of a boy or girl. 5 Abduction: Intentionally taking a male or a female child (under 18) out of their parents’, guardians’ or custodians’ control with the intention of having sex with that child. The crime takes place whether the child consents or not. Various documents and parts of legislation relate to sexual abuse of children in South Africa. The Child Care Act The Child Care Act (1983, amended 1999) is aimed at the protection and welfare of children and provides amongst other things, for the removal of a child thought to be at risk and in need of care (Chapter3) as well as the prevention of ill-treatment of children (Chapter 8)
The Act defines a child as any persons below the age of 18. It further defines ‘children in especially difficult circumstances’ as children denied of their basic human needs, such as children exposed to violence. It also defines ‘commercial sexual exploitation’ as The procurement of a child to perform a sexual act for financial or other reward payable to the child, the parents or guardian of the child, the procurer or any other person Section 1 of the Child Care Act, 1983, states the following: Section 50A: provides for the prosecution of any person directly involved in children’s sexual exploitation, as well as any person directly involved in children’s sexual exploitation, as well as person legally linked to a property where the exploitation occurs. It does however, explicitly cover any person who, through facilitating and enabling sexual exploitation of children, is ‘indirectly’ involved. In other words, this section covers the actual act of sexual exploitation and the place where it occurs but not activities related to the exploitation like trafficking. 50A: (1) deals with the commercial exploitation of children and reads: Any person who participates or is involved in the commercial sexual exploitation of a child shall be guilty of an offence. 50A:(2) Any person who is an owner, lessor, manager, tenant or occupier of property on which the commercial sexual exploitation of a child occurs and who, within a reasonable time of gaining information of such occurrence, fails to report such occurrence to the police station, shall be guilty of an offence. Section 11 and 12 allows for a child to be removed from any place and taken to a place of safety and care if it is ‘in the interest of the safety and welfare’ the child. An enquiry at the Children’s Court shall determine if the child is in need of care. According to Section 14 children in need of care are those who have been abandoned, exposed to sexual exploitation, physically, emotionally or sexually abused or ill treated, and live under circumstances which seriously harm their physical, mental or social well-being. Subsection (14)(a) of the Act states that a child is in need of care if the child (I) has been abandoned or is without visible means of support (III) live in circumstances likely to cause or conduce to his seduction, abduction or sexual exploitation 2
(iv) lives in or is exposed to circumstances which may seriously harm the physical, mental or social well-being of the child (v) is in a state of physical or mental neglect; (vi) has been physically, emotionally or sexually abused or ill-treated by his or her parents or guardian or the person in whose custody he or she is.
Sexual Offences Act Section 14 of the Sexual Offences Act criminalises certain actions involving persons below certain age limits and also provides certain defences to accused persons. This section reads as follows: Sexual offences with youths (1)Any male person who(a) has or attempts to have unlawful carnal intercourse with a girl under the age of 16 years; or (b) commits or attempts to commit with such a girl or with a boy under the age of 19 years an immoral or indecent act; or (c) solicits or entices such a girl or boy to the commission of an immoral or an indecent act shall be guilty of an offence. (2) It shall be a sufficient defence to any charge under subsection (1) if it shall be made to appear to the court(a) that the girl at the time of the commission of the offence was a prostitute, that the person so charged was at the said time under the age of 21years and that it is the first occasion on which he is so charged; or (b) and (bA)…… (c) that the girl or person in whose charge she was, deceived the person so charged into believing that she was over the age of 16 years at the said time. (3) Any female who(a) has or attempts to have unlawful carnal intercourse with a boy under the of sixteen years; or (b) commits or attempts to commit with such a boy or with such girl under the age of 19 years an immoral act or indecent act (c) solicits or entices such a boy or girl to the commission of an immoral or indecent act shall be guilty of an offence It shall be a sufficient defence to any charge under subsection (3) if it shall be made to appear before the court That the boy at the time of the commission of the offence was a prostitute, that the person so charged was at the said time under the age of 21 years and that it is the first occasion on which she is so charged; or That the boy or person in whose charge she was, deceived the person so charged into believing that he was over the age of sixteen at the said time THE CHILD CARE ACT AND THE SEXUAL OFFENCES ACT IS CUURENTLY UNDER REVIEW, SOME PARTS OF THE LEGISLATION REGARDING SEXUAL OFFENCES AGAINSR CHILDREN MIGHT CHANGE
Section 28 of the South African Constitution states the following regarding children: (1) (d) to be protected from abuse, neglect and humiliation. (2) that the child’s best interest is paramount in every aspect regarding the child. 3
(3) In this Article a child means someone under the age of 18
The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child states: The state shall protect the child from all forms of maltreatment by parents or others responsible for child care and establish appropriate social programmes for the prevention of child abuse and treatment of victims (Art 19); and The state shall protect children from sexual exploitation, prostitution and involvement in pornography (Art 34).
Who is the abuser? The abuser or perpetrator can be a male or female. Most of the time the abuser is male. Abusers may be doctors, teachers, lawyers, fathers, brothers, uncles even an older brother. Abusers are often known to the family and someone the child may trust. The abuser may have frequent contact with the child and will wait till the child is alone or unsupervised. They come from the cities or rural areas, are all ages and belong to different races. They can hold important positions or may be unemployed. Who are the abused children? All children are possible targets (or victims) of child sex abusers. Some children appear to be more vulnerable than others. Children who have mental and physical disabilities. The most vulnerable group seems to be girls between the ages of 10 to 14 years. A GUIDE TO THE DETECTION OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE Seek expert and experienced help when noticing any combination of the following signs. One or two symptoms might not be sufficient grounds – There could be another explanation, but trust your gut feeling. Physical symptoms Difficulty in sitting or walking Bruising, bleeding, pain or itching in genital area Pregnancy Venereal disease Behavioural characteristics Unwilling to participate in certain physical activities Refusal to submit to physical examination Withdraws into fantasy or unusual behaviour Aggressive, hostile or disruptive behaviour Chronic running away Alcohol/drug abuse/dependency Compulsive lying Regular absence from school/Truancy Decline in school work Crying for no apparent reason Tears associated with particular places mentioned Poor relationships with children of the same age Problems with sleeping, lack of appetite, weight loss/gain Regressive behaviour (bed wetting, thumb sucking) Severe nightmares 4
Suicide attempts Sexual acting-out inappropriate for age Precocious sexual language or knowledge Vague physical complaints Overtly seductive or promiscuous Fear of touching or being touched Prostitution
Why children don’t tell Fear they will not be believed Offenders use bribes or threats Natural fear of family break-up or rejection Shame, guilt (mostly imposed by offender) Wants to protect the family Disempowered child believes he/she has no rights
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I DISCOVER ABUSE? If a child discloses to their parent, teacher or caregiver that he/she has been sexually abused, the first step is in the process is to go to your nearest police station
Try to build a relationship of trust by showing warmth and acceptance. Make sure to tell the child that the information will remain confidential. Try and control your own feelings – Don’t show anger or disgust, stay calm and remember, it is not the child’s fault. If you feel you can’t deal with it, accompany the child to the right person. Involve qualified people – don’t become involved in areas that you are not trained for. (See list of organisations at end of booklet.) [illustration: child disclosing to a grown-up] Points to remember Believe the child: Tell the child you believe him/her. Children do not lie about abuse. Provide support: Do not blame the child in any way. Make it clear that the abuser is to blame. It is important to support the child. Say you’re glad he/she told you. Assure the child that telling you was the right thing to do and that he/she was very courageous. Be aware of your own feelings. Say you’re sorry that it happened Say it was not the child’s fault Be honest with the child. Tell the child what you are going to do next and act on it Handling disclosures Do: Be non-judgemental Give your full attention Let the child/young person do the talking Take down the facts Discuss course of action with the child Follow up the incident. Don’t: 5
Over-react Push for details Put words in a child’s or young person’s mouth Ask why he/she took so long to disclose Make promises you cannot keep Discuss the abuse with others not directly involved with helping. Cover up the abuse Consider removing the child before considering the removing of the abuser.
REPORTING THE ABUSE Before reporting to the nearest police station Consult with the child and check whether the child wishes to report the abuse to the police.
If the child wishes to report this matter, it would be best to do it within three days of being assaulted. The sooner the doctor examines the child, the better the chances of finding evidence such as semen or blood.
If you feel you need to involve other professionals, explain this to the child. Make sure that the child understands this.
If the child is hurt, rush to your nearest hospital or doctor. They can call the police if the child wants to report the matter.
Inform the child that other professional people will be involved after reporting the matter, these include the police, social worker and doctor.
Do not destroy any evidence before reporting to the police. Evidence could be torn, bloody or soiled clothing.
If the abuse has just happened, do not let the child wash him/herself.
Ask the child to wrap his/her clothing in a brown paper bag or ordinary newspaper. Do not put clothes in a plastic bag as this could destroy evidence.
Take clean clothes with you because the police may keep the clothing as part of evidence.
If the child refuses to go to the police station you can ask the police to send a patrol car to your house or wherever the child is.
[photo of friendly policeperson on duty behind counter] What happens at the police station? Guidelines when reporting a sexual offence at the police station A social worker from the Department of Social Services or another adult may accompany the child when reporting a sexual offence to the police. It is not necessary that her/his legal guardian or an appointed social worker accompany a child. The child can report what happened to him/her at any police station. If children are under the age of 18 years, the Child Protection Unit (CPU) will be contacted. Unfortunately, there are few CPUs in the country and many of the units do not have trained personnel who can communicate in the language of the child. In cases where there are no CPUs, the normal policing procedure will prevail. 6
An accountable adult person should accompany children under the age of 18 years and the Child Protection Unit/Specialised worker must be contacted. If an adult makes the initial report, the child concerned should not be present as the child could be unduly influenced. If an adult has accompanied the, the child should not be left alone while the report is being made The police officer on duty receives the initial report. Request to speak to a policewoman who is trained to deal with child sexual abuse. If a policewoman is not available you may ask the police to call someone to take the child’s statement. This also means that you may have to wait a while before someone will attend to the child. When the child reports a sexual offence to the police they will give the child a special number. This is called an OB number (Occurrence Book number). This is very important because it proves that the matter was reported. The police have no right to refuse to take a statement from a child because they believe that the child does not have enough evidence.
When a sexual offence is reported one of two things can be done: 1. The child can just put the sexual offence on record 2. The child can lay a charge. If the child decides to put the matter on record, the police will not investigate. If the child lays a charge they will investigate the offence. Remember that the police have no right to tell the child that a charge cannot be laid because there is not enough evidence. The statement If the child decides to lay a charge the police must take a statement from the child. This means that the police will ask the child to tell what happened and everything the child says will be written down. They will open a file or a criminal case docket for the child’s case. This is given another number, called a CAS (Criminal Administration System) number. Make sure that you write this number down. The child has a right to give her statement in a private place. If the child is hurt or too upset to talk, the police may decide to take a short statement first and a more detailed one later. The child has a right to give her/his statement in her/his home language. If the child needs a translator the police will find someone to assist the child. The child may also decide to write his or her statement or may ask a friend to assist. The police officer must write down everything the child say. The parent/guardian must not sign the statement if he/she is unhappy with the way the statement was written. This is very important, because the statement may be used against the abuser in the court case. The child has a right to have a copy of his/her statement. Remember that it is important that the child give a detailed report of what happened. This may be difficult and very emotional for the child and can also take a long time. Be patient with the child. Some of the questions the police will ask the child Promise that everything you say is the truth When and where did the abuse happen? Do you know the abuser or was there more than one of them? Did the abuser use a weapon at the time of the crime? Did the abuser penetrate your vagina/anus? THE MEDICAL EXAMINATION 7
The police must arrange for the child to have a medical examination. This can be done either before making the statement or after. The doctor that will perform the examination is called a District Surgeon. This doctor’s duties are to gather medical evidence for the child’s case. This evidence will be used in court to prove that sexual abuse did occur. The examination may take place in the doctor’s surgery, at the hospital or in a court building. The doctor cannot refuse to examine the child because she is menstruating or for any other reason. If the child is hurt and taken to hospital first, he/she might be examined by a doctor at the hospital and not by a district surgeon. If the child then decides to report the matter, the hospital will call the police. What happens before the examination? It can be difficult for the child to understand what is going to happen and why so many different things must be done. An adult whom the child trusts has to explain to her/him as clearly as possible what is taking place and why. The procedure is as follows:
A parent/guardian will have to sign a police 308 form granting permission for the child to be examined. The doctor must fill in the results of the examination on another form called a J88 form. The doctor must also sign his/her name and put the date that he/she has examined the child on the form. The doctor will give this form back to the police after the examination is done. Most district surgeons are only able to speak English or Afrikaans. If the child doesn’t understand what the doctor is saying to her/him, the child can ask the doctor to find someone that speaks his/her language. There must always be another women, such as a policewomen or a nurse, present when the child is being examined. An adult the child feels comfortable with may accompany the child. The doctor will first ask the child to tell him/her what happened in as much detail as possible.
The type of questions the doctor will ask the child How old are you? Do you feel pain in part of your body? What did the person do to you? Did a man force his penis into your vagina/anus? The examination After asking the child questions, the doctor will look at the clothes the child was wearing at the time of the assault. The doctor will check to see if there are any stains such as semen, blood, sand or grass on the clothes. The semen or blood can be tested at the police laboratory to see if it is the same as that of the alleged perpetrator. - The child will have to take off all his/her clothes to be examined. - The doctor will check for any bruises, scratches or cuts. - The doctor will then proceed with an internal examination to see whether the child’s vagina or anus has been hurt. INVESTIGATING THE CASE The police officer who takes the child’s statement is usually not the same person who will investigate the child’s case. The person who does this is a detective and is called an investigating officer. The investigating officer will normally contact the child later to ask more questions and she/he may ask the child to come to the police station again. The child or the parent/guardian can contact the investigating officer at any time to ask what is happening with the case. Finding the perpetrator 8
When the police investigate, they look for the person that the child said has assaulted her/him. If the child knows who the perpetrator is, it will not be difficult for the police to find him. Sometimes they will show the child photographs to see if the child recognises the man. If the perpetrator is not found the case cannot go ahead.
Whether the case goes ahead or not, the child and often the family will need counselling to deal with the sexual abuse. Children who do not have an opportunity to express what happened and their feelings may hide them, leading to problems later in life. There are many facilities that offer counselling. Some of these are listed at the end of the booklet. GOING TO COURT This is a difficult experience for any child because the process could be lengthy – the accused often appears several times before the case goes to trial and the trial itself can be very drawnout. Being in court could make the child very nervous and scared. Children may feel guilty or blamed for having to prove that they were sexually assaulted. It is most difficult for children to face the perpetrator and relive the nightmare of the assault. For all these reasons it is very important that the child have the support of parents, guardians or a counsellor at the court, throughout all the proceedings. Once the perpetrator has been arrested he will appear in court within 2 days of his arrest. When the perpetrator appears the child does not have to be in court. The child/adult can contact the investigating officer if she/he wishes to know if the perpetrator has been let out on bail. If the accused is granted bail, one of the conditions will be that he does not interfere with the child. If the accused does interfere with the child, his bail can be removed and he can be put in prison until the trial is over. The child or adult must inform the police if the accused tries to talk to the child or threatens the child in any way. Types of courts in South Africa There are different types of criminal courts in South Africa. A. The Supreme Court
B. The Magistrates Court
I) Regional Magistrates Courts II) District Magistrates Courts The Supreme Court is the most powerful court, followed by the Regional Magistrates Courts and lastly the District Magistrates Courts. The different courts can give different sentences. Rape cases can be heard in the Supreme Court or in the Regional Court. This is because rape is the most serious sexual offence and these courts can give longer and more serious sentences. The Supreme 9
court can give up to life in prison, whereas the Regional Court can give up to 10 years in prison and/or a R200 000 fine. Other sexual offences, such as attempted rape, indecent assault and incest, usually go to the District Magistrates Courts. The maximum sentence these courts can give is 1 year in prison and/or a R20 000 fine. Court preparation Most children have never been in a court before. It is a good idea to take the child to court before the trial and show the child what the court looks like, and who sits where. At the Cape Town and Wynberg Sexual Offences Court, there is a special social worker called the Victim Support Services Co-ordinator. Her role is to consult with the child, does court preparation, pre- and post counselling. It is extremely important to get professional help to prepare the child for court. You may approach a counsellor or a social worker to do this. Who will be in court? When the accused has been arrested by the police the matter is taken to court. The first appearance occurs in the District court, where it is determined whether will be referred to the Sexual Offences Court. When the accused appears in the District Court, the accused has to decide whether to appoint a lawyer or whether the matter will be self- defended. If the accused wishes to appoint a lawyer, the case is postponed for this to happen. The child is not allowed to have a lawyer in court, because a state prosecutor will handle the child’s case (if the case goes to a magistrate’s court) or by a state advocate (if the case goes to the supreme court). In court the child will see the accused because he will be in court for the whole trial. His family and friends may also be in court. The child will need help to be able to deal with seeing the accused again. The accused may have a lawyer called a defence attorney or defence advocate. After hearing the evidence the magistrate/judge makes a decision and passes a sentence if the abuser is found guilty. The stenographer is the person who writes down or tape-records everything that happens. The court orderly is a police officer who calls the witnesses when they are needed in the courtroom. [drawing/photograph and caption] The courtroom The child as complainant/witness The public is allowed to watch, but there is a rule in the case of sexual offences that says the child can give evidence ‘in camera’. If the prosecutor feels that the child will not be able to testify because he/she will suffer emotionally, he/she may ask that the case be heard in camera. This means that everyone must leave the court, except the child, court officials, the accused and his lawyer. The child is allowed to have someone such as a parent or a social worker present. The general rule in criminal trials is that the accused must be present when evidence is given during the trial against him. However, through the intermediary system, there are two exceptions where the witness is allowed to testify without having to see the accused.
Intermediary system This section of the Criminal Procedure Act applies only to witnesses under the age of 18 years. If the court believes that a witness will be exposed to undue mental stress or suffering while testifying in the courtroom, the court can appoint an intermediary and allow the witness to testify through the intermediary. Intermediaries can be teachers, social workers, child psychologists, etc. If an intermediary is appointed, the court can allow the witness to testify via a closed circuit TV system or using a one-way mirror screen. 10
Closed circuit TV system This system requires an additional ‘witness room’ which is located outside the courtroom. This room is equipped with a TV camera, which relays events in the room to a TV screen inside the courtroom. The witness who is to testify, goes to the room with the intermediary. Both the witness and intermediary wear microphones that allow for everything they say to be heard in the courtroom. In addition, the intermediary wears a set of headphones so that he/she can hear what is said in the courtroom. This means that questions directed at the witness are put to the intermediary through the headphones, and the intermediary then repeats the questions to the witness. Both the questions put by the intermediary and the answers of the witness can be heard in the courtroom. [Diagram/drawing] One-way mirror screen This system allows for a screen to be placed between the accused and the witness stand. The top half of the screen consists of a one way mirror (a pane of glass, which allows for persons on one side to see ‘through’ it, while persons on the other side are faced with a mirror surface). The accused and his lawyers can see through the screen, but the witness only see the mirror side. Advantages of using the intermediary system - Complainants/Witnesses often experience their testimony in the presence of the accused as one of the most terrifying aspects of the trial. The intermediary system removes the accused from the view of the witness (in the case of a one-way mirror screen) or from the presence of the witness (in the case of the closed circuit TV system). - The environment in the witness room is usually far more ‘friendly’ and less intimidating than stark courtroom surroundings. - This is helpful to the court, as intermediaries are able to interact with children. One of their functions is to reassure young witnesses and provide a sympathetic presence. Disadvantages - Due to a shortage of trained intermediaries, the finalisation of the trial may be delayed for long periods, because no appropriate persons are available to act as intermediaries. - Not all courts are equipped with the systems described here. - Where the identity of the perpetrator is in dispute, the intermediary system does not completely protect the witness, since she/he will have to face the accused (even if it is only briefly) to positively identify the perpetrator. HOW TO PREVENT CHILD ABUSE
Parents and children need to talk to each other. Parents need to listen to their children
Children should be encouraged to be open and ask questions about things that confuse them
When children ask questions about their bodies and sexuality, you should answer them without embarrassment or fear. Provide simple, honest information in words and ways they can understand
Explain how their bodies work. Talk to the child at times when he/she is relaxed and listening. For example, when giving a child a bath, tell them “These are your private parts. Nobody is allowed to touch you.” Maybe suggest that they wash these parts themselves. As children grow older, they need more specific information about reproduction, menstruation, pregnancy
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and
birth
Children
should
also
be
properly
supervised
at
home
and
at
school.
Children should not be left late at school or left for long periods without supervision by parents or guardians.
Child minders or domestic helpers should be properly instructed, supervised and monitored.
Make sure young children know what their rights are
It is important to identify resources in the community that deals with child abuse
Equip yourself with skills to handle abusive situations and know how to deal with it.
Make sure that your family and friends are well informed about child abuse and know what action to take if needed and which organisations to contact
Create an awareness in the community together with other concerned parents, teachers and care-givers
Formation of peer/counselling groups
Life Skills information at schools
Protecting children Children should be taught how to protect themselves against sexual abuse. They should know how to refuse improper advances and how to ask for help. They should be taught that nobody has the right to touch the private parts of their bodies. -
Teach them the difference between a good touch like being hugged or tickled, and a bad touch that is painful or confusing.
-
Children must know that they should not be forced to touch other people.
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Children should know that if an adult touches them in a manner that they don’t like, they have the right to say “NO”!
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Children should know that a bad experience should not be kept secret from adults they trust, such as their parents, even if the person who harms them threatens them.
[Illustration showing representative group of adults (all ages) and children holding posters with “WE HAVE A SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT ALL CHILDREN” “BREAK THE SILENCE AND SAY NO TO CHILD ABUSE” “REPORT THE RAPIST & CHILD SEX ABUSER” “TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE”] [Box] What to do if you encounter any problems 1. If you have any problems at court or are not treated well, you must complain. 2. If you wish to lodge a complaint, and need advice, you may contact any of the organisations listed in this booklet. 3. You may approach the senior prosecutor of the court where the trial is taking 12
place. If you are still unhappy, contact the office of the attorney general.
If you need to know more about child sexual abuse, or would like to have more information on child sexual abuse, you may contact one of the following organisations.
Molo Songololo Safeline Child Line Rapcan Rape Crisis Cape Town Heideveld Crisis Line Patch
(021) 448 5421 (021) 638 1155 (021) 762 8198 (021) 448 9034
(021) 447 1467 (021) 633 5387 083 2225158 (021) 852 6110
Child Protection Unit Goodwood (021) 592 2601/2/3/4 Mitchells Plain (021) 376 3030
Ilitha La Bantu Gugulethu Khayelitsha Philippi
(021) 633 2383 (021) 361 1118 (021) 371 5110
Nicro Cape Town Athlone Mitchells Plain
(021) 447 4000 (021) 633 5287 (021) 397 6060
Child Welfare Society Wynberg (021) 761 7130 Athlone (021) 696 8038/9 Khayelitsha (021) 387 0163 Manenberg (021) 638 5132
National Child Emergency Service Life Line Cape Town Flying Squad Cape Town
08000 55 555 (021) 461 1111 10111 (021) 506 2018
Nicro Cape Town Athlone Mitchells Plain
(021) 447 4000 (021) 633 5287 (021) 397 6060
Trauma Center
(021) 465 7373
SANCA
(021) 638 5116
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