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SAFETY
Children at risk in level 3 NETTALIE VILJOEN NETTALIE.VILJOEN@MEDIA24.COM
W
ynberg police’s Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit has reported a significant drop in the report of child abuse cases since the start of the lockdown but warns the number of incidents are again likely to rise in the next few weeks if parents do not remain vigilant. Wynberg FCS covers Grassy Park, Steenberg, Wynberg, Kirstenhof and Diep River. The unit, which consists of five officers, investigates cases of sexual offences, missing children and domestic violence in these areas. Capt Henry Abrahams, head of FCS at Wynberg police station, says the relaxation of restrictions during level three – the return of parents to work, the end of the 20:00 to 05:00 curfew and the lift of the ban on the sale of alcohol – places children at greater risk. “Alcohol and substance abuse usually play a role in the sexual abuse of children, especially in cases of young females aged between 14 and 18 who are raped walking home from shebeens late at night,” Abrahams says. Sgt Julian Zederberg, one of FCS’s investigators, says before lockdown, children as young as 10 roamed the streets at night. “Parents went home to the bottle instead of to their children. With the curfew and the ban on alcohol in place, parents knew where their children were. At levels five and four, parents also had more time to spend with their children – they took responsibility for them. As we go into the lower levels, it is important parents continue to keep track of their children’s whereabouts,” Zederberg says. With more people set to return to work during level three and considering that only Grades 7 and 12 learners are expected to return to school, many parents will be forced to leave their children in the care of others. Capt Abigail Golding, the unit’s forensic social worker, says they want to warn parents of the dangers out there. “There are often cases where a mother left her child with a trusted friend or a family member. The perpetrator is not always who you expect. In some cases the abuser is a 15year-old who also resides in the home; in others, it is a 60-year-old in a wheelchair,” Golding says. Protecting our children begins with nurturing an open line of communication, she says.
“Listen to your children. If your children tell you about problems, try to stay calm, be reassuring, and non-judgemental. And be sensitive to any changes in your children’s behaviour or attitude,” Golding advises. And above all, she says, if you learn of a sexual offence, report it. Remaining silent allows the cycle of abuse to continue. “So many mothers who bring in their children break down, saying this also happened to them when they were young but that they didn’t tell anyone. Because of the trauma they suffered all those years ago, they struggle to deal with what is happening to their child now,” Golding shares. Often, Zederberg says, families want to avoid police involvement because of the stigma attached to sexual abuse. They first try to resolve it themselves, sometimes by resorting
to violence. “By the time it finally is reported, children have already built a wall because they think mommy and daddy did not believe them,” he says. If the perpetrator is a breadwinner, Golding says, families are even more hesitant to report the crime. “In some cases, kids are told they will be sending their dad to jail if they say anything or they are given a hiding,” she says. If nothing is done, children are left thinking they are not important and that what was done to them is okay. “Children carry these emotional scars into adulthood. It affects their ability to trust and to have meaningful relationships. It also affects life choices,” she adds. Abrahams points out there is no time-limit on the report of sexual offences. Even if it hap-
pened years ago, you can still report it. “Wynberg FCS is open around the clock, seven days a week. If a sexual offence has been committed, call us and we will arrange for the right procedure to be followed,” Abrahams says. The unit, located on the third floor of Wynberg police station, has a comfort room where children and guardians’ statements are taken. The child-friendly room, complete with colourful murals and toys, is a safe space for children. If it is deemed that a child in care needs protection, FCS has the power to arrange for a stay-in. In cases where victims’ lives are in danger, for example, fear of gang retaliation, FCS can arrange for victims to be placed in a witness protection programme – all within one night. V Call Wynberg FCS on 021 799 1300.
Wynberg police’s Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) unit is located on the third floor of Wynberg police station. Pictured are Sgt Lennox Nxanxashe, Capt Henry Abrahams, Sgt Julian Zederberg and Capt Abigail Golding. PHOTO: NETTALIE VILJOEN
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