It’s middle of the Child Protection month, and already we have more sad cases of abuse against children.

What Can You Do This Child Protection Month?

Beyond the governmental call to action for this 2025 Child Protection Month of May, what can you do, dear fellow citizen?

President Cyril Ramaphosa has repeatedly referred to child abuse and gender-based violence as South Africa’s “second pandemic” and urged Cabinet to develop and implement a 90-day strategy with impactful programmes to address this crisis.

But what has changed since then?

Children are still being trafficked, abused, neglected , abandoned or murdered. The Department of Social Development (DSD) revealed that more than 26,000 cases of child abuse and neglect were reported in the 2024/25 financial year. Sexual abuse remains dominant, with 9,859 cases nationwide, followed by deliberate neglect (9,485 cases), physical abuse (3,965 cases), and abandonment (595 cases).

Successful Child Protection Organizations Making a Difference

I may not have all the information on organizations working tirelessly in this area, but many go unseen— perhaps due to lack of funding or a spokesperson. Let’s get to know who’s who in our locality.

We at Champions for Change receive many calls from people looking for shelters across Jo’burg, for vulnerable mothers and children. From our limited perspective, there simply aren’t enough. Some shelters we knew have closed due to lack of funding and support. We also don’t know enough about what is out there, even as we are member of some networks.

Here is some information on how to refer people to safe spaces for children and families:

• National Shelter Movement of South Africa – A network advocating for shelter services and gender-based violence prevention. Contact: 0800 001 005 (24-hour toll-free helpline), Website

  • Thereareanumberofsheltersforwomenandforwomenwithchildrenunderacertainage.
  • However, they are shelters, and therefore anonymous, because the purpose of a shelter is to temporarily protect vulnerable victims of abuse, or following traumatic events.
  • These shelters fall under the protection of your Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences units (FCS) within the South African Police Service (SAPS). These units are responsible for investigating and preventing family violence, child protection, and sexual offenses.
  • ItrequiresaSocialWorkerandPoliceOfficertoadmityourvulnerablesurvivorsintoa registered shelter.
  • Many shelters lack online presence or clear contact information, as they need to remain anonymous places of safety for survivors.

• Childline South Africa – Provides free counselling for abused children and families. Contact: 116 (Toll-free helpline), Website.

** Photo of boy by FETHI BOUHAOUCHINE on Unsplash

[ see end of part 2 for references and acknowledgments]