Issued by: Gauteng Provincial Government Department of Health
29 May 1998
Child abuse is one of the fastest increasing crimes today. On Saturday 30 May 1998, International Children's Day, the Gauteng Health Department is hosting a community event at Jabulani Amphitheatre to celebrate the role the Zamakuhle Child Centre has played since its establishment in March 1995.
The Department, therefore, invites all media to witness and participate in this momentous event from 10h00-15h00. Mrs Albertina Sisulu, an ANC Member of Parliament, will deliver a keynote address.
The Zamakuhle Children's Centre is a joint establishment between the Gauteng Health Department, Jabulani Child Protection Unit, the Chris Hani-Baragwanath Liaison Group and other non-government organisations to address the problem of child abuse. It is located at a Department clinic in Zola in Soweto.
The Centre offers medical, psychological and social services to abused children, which includes counselling to the families of child abuse victims. Most of the 2000 children who have been assisted at the Centre are sexually abused.
The Centre has a Knitting and Sewing Club for the mothers of abused children who often are victims of abuse as well. The potential income from the skills they acquire and the sale of clothes from this Club, makes it easier for these mothers to make the choice of leaving their abusive partners, and thereby, protecting themselves and their children.
Many initiatives such as the establishment of the Police Child Protection Unit and the Child Hot Line, have been taken to alleviate this scourge and to protect children in distress. However, it is acknowledged that there are still weaknesses in the interventions the Department is making in addressing the problem of child abuse.
There is poor follow-up on child abuse cases. Victims also experience secondary abuse by having to relate their traumatic experience again and again, when they are referred from one health worker to the other.
A new Youth "Potentiation" Centre building project will also be launched as part of the celebration.
Released by the Gauteng Health Department.
Contact persons: Dr Mwande (011) 934-9415 Cell: 082 552 9442
: Brenda Jacobs (011) 984-4278/8431