Child abuse a growing concern
ALEXANDRA - An Alex children's organisation is concerned by the number of child abuse cases brought for its attention.
An Alex children’s organisation is concerned by the number of child abuse cases brought to its attention.
NPO Kidz Clinic, based at the Alex Police Station, attends to child abuse and domestic violence cases through its Victim Empowerment Unit.
Social worker, Ayanda Mabusela, said they attended to six cases of child abuse daily and 40 cases weekly.
“Some of the cases are presented by children walking in after advice from the public, schools, neighbours, friends and the media,” Mabusela said.
She stated that it was concerning that most of the abuse was committed by people the children relied upon to protect them.
“Most worrying is that some of the sexual abuse is committed on both girls and boys by their siblings, parents and uncles; and verbal abuse through insults by family members which inflict psychological harm on the children.”
She attributed this behaviour to parents who, when stressed by poverty and overcrowding, took out their frustration on their children, and to the parents having lacked parental support when they were growing up.
She said the clinic provided qualified social workers and counsellors to help abused children and train school teachers to assist abused children. “Sometimes we also train parents to improve their parenting skills, including how to handle children who steal, lie and bunk school.”
Details: Kidz Clinic 011 321 7515.
