Social Development
With reference to the reply to question 6 of 14 May 2021:
- What has happened to the 102 cases reported by the Western Cape Education Department;
- whether these cases were reported to the South Africa Police Service; if not, why not;
- how has her Department ensured the implementation of the Children’s Act with regard to children allegedly sexually assaulted at schools and reported to the Department?
What has happened to the 102 cases reported by the Western Cape Education Department;
There is close collaboration between DSD, SAPS and WCED social workers in terms of managing sexual abuse cases as child abuse demands a multi-disciplinary approach. The WCED social workers will involve the DSD social workers from the onset via the form 22 referral. WCED social worker will support the child within the education setting to prevent the abuse from becoming a barrier to learning and the DSD social worker will deliver the child protection services.
- whether these cases were reported to the South Africa Police Service; if not, why not; All cases were reported to SAPS as per the Abuse no More protocol.
If the child discloses any abuse of a sexual nature to a teacher or staff member the Abuse No More Protocol (2012: 4) by reporting it to SAPS as stated in Section 3 of the document.
3. Compulsory Reporting
3.1 (a) Section 54 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, 2007 (Act 32 of 2007)
(i) In terms of this section every person has a duty to report;
“Knowledge that a sexual offence had been committed against a child”or “Knowledge, reasonable belief or suspicion that a sexual offence had been committed
against a person who is mentally disabled”;
(ii) The report must be immediate; and
(iii) It must be to a police official.
(3) how has her Department ensured the implementation of the Children’s Act with regard to children allegedly sexually assaulted at schools and reported to the Department?
DSD has provided statutory child protection services.
