Child Abuse

	I hear many people talking about child abuse but I am not sure what it is.
	There are different kinds of abuse like sexual; physical and emotional abuse. Neglecting a child is also a form of abuse.

Parents Tips (child abuse)

Child Physical Abuse is the Intentional Infliction of an Injury on a Child. These are Indicators that a Child is Being Physically Abused:

Physical indicators of physical child abuse:

• Bite marks.
• Bruises on uncommonly injured body surfaces.
• Lacerations.
• Burns.
• High incidence of accidents or frequent injuries.
  Fractures/broken bones in unusual places such as the skull, ribs etc.
• Injuries, swellings to face and extremities.
• Discolouration of skin.
• Blunt-instrument marks.
• Human hand marks.
• Multiple injuries at different stages of healing.
• Evidence of poor care/failure to thrive.

Behavioural indicators of physical child abuse:
The child:

• Avoids physical contact with others.
• Is apprehensive when other children cry.
• Wears clothing to purposely conceal injury, such as long sleeves.
• Refuses to undress for sport or for required physical exams at school.
• Give inconsistent versions about occurrences of injuries.
• Seems frightened of parents.
• Is often late/absent from school.
• Comes to school early and seems reluctant to go home afterwards.
• Has difficulty getting along with others.
• Plays aggressively and often hurts peers.
• Complains of pain upon movement or contact.
• Has a history of running away from home.

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Children’s right (child abuse)

CHILDREN’S RIGHTS

	I have the right to a loving and caring family, a proper safe and comfortable home, clothing and healthy food
	I have the right to be told the house rules of where I live
	As a child, I should not be forced to work
	I have the right to an education suitable to my aptitudes and abilities
	I have the right to a say in my care, and any changes to how I am cared for, according to my age & maturity
	I have the right to get special care for special needs
	I have the right to be protected from hurt
	I have the right to good health care if I am sick and to be kept away from cigarettes, alcohol & drugs
	I am a real person and have a right to be treated properly
	I have the right to be taken seriously and to make mistakes
	I have the right to my own religion and culture
	I have a right to my name and my nationality
	I have the right to be treated the same, no matter what my colour, race, gender, language or religion
	I have the right to be proud of my heritage and beliefs
	I have the right to speak and be heard
	I have the right to send and receive private mail that is not read or opened by others
	I have the right to privacy
	I have the right to own my own things
	I have the right to speak and visit in private with my family or any other person like my big friend, a person representing me like my social worker or my lawyer
	I have a right to a lawyer in courtrooms and hearings affecting my future
	I have a right to live in a nice place and not be put in prison or in a police cell
	I have the right to know what my rights are

Captain crime stop and the SAPS

It is of utmost importance that the children realize that Captain Crime Stop is also a Policeman and interacts with various other Police departments like the Flying Squad, the Child Protection unit etc.

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Aim

• To educate children and supply them with safety hints regarding personal safety.
• To create awareness of the Crime Stop number 08600 10111 as well as emergency telephone number of SAPS 10111.
• To explain the meaning of child abuse and what to do if it is affecting you.
• To convince the children that the South African Police Service is a friend they can trust and not an organisation to be afraid of.

Target Groups

• Nursery school children between 3 years and 6 years.
• Primary schools (grade 1 to grade 7).

Adopt a Cop

Young Champions

Young Champions programme is a youth development project. The project is led by the Sport and Recreation South Africa. The project targets young people at risk. The underlying messages revolve around the challenges facing young people suck as crime, substance abuse, abuse of women and children, HIV/AIDS, lack of respect for people with disabilities and overall moral degeneration. The interest of the SAPS in this project is as result of its potential; effectiveness in crime prevention. The project presents opportunities to:

• exercise mentor ship programme and peer counselling of Young people-at-risk.
• involve young people in positive activities as opposed to criminal and anti-social activities.
• provide awareness and life skills that can make young people resistant and resilience as regards crime and anti-social behaviours.
• provide positive role models for young people.
• prevent anti-social behaviour such as disrespect of others and their that property can lead to crime and violence.
• this project enables young people to be shown how this can be avoided and if successful, limit their involvement in these criminal and anti-social activities.

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