Child Protection in Action

════════════════════
⚠️ CHILD PROTECTION WEEK SERIES #8: EXPLOITATION
════════════════════

Today we are unpacking the 'E' in VCANE.

Exploitation is often hidden in plain sight.

Children who are exploited may not always disclose what is happening to them. Sometimes the signs appear as poor hygiene, school absenteeism, unexplained injuries, low self-esteem, aggression, sudden access to money or other changes in behaviour. These indicators do not automatically confirm exploitation, but they should prompt us to ask questions, gather information and assess risk.

The Children's Act defines exploitation broadly and includes practices such as slavery, debt bo***ge, child marriage, servitude, forced labour, sexual exploitation and the removal of body parts. Children may also be exploited through criminal activities where they are used to commit offences or assist criminal networks.
As practitioners, we need to look beyond a single indicator and consider the child's circumstances, safety and overall wellbeing. Assessment, analysis and professional judgement remain essential.

📖 Relevant legislation includes:
✔ Children's Act 38 of 2005
✔ Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 32 of 2007 (SORMA)
✔ Prevention and Combating of Trafficking in Persons Act 7 of 2013
✔ Basic Conditions of Employment Act 75 of 1997
✔ National Health Act 61 of 2003

💬 What indicators of exploitation have you encountered most frequently in practice?
Share your experiences, observations or thoughts in the comments.





⚖️Disclaimer: This series reflects my professional opinion, experience, interpretation of legislation and research in child protection practice. Professional opinions and interpretations may differ. The information shared is intended to encourage reflection, learning and discussion within the child protection field.

════════════════════
⚖️ CHILD PROTECTION WEEK SERIES | #7 – NEGLECT
════════════════════

Neglect is often more difficult to identify than other forms of maltreatment because it is not always about what happens to a child - sometimes it is about what is consistently missing from a child's life.

In the two slides we explore definitions of neglect, types of neglect and some possible indicators of neglect. These may include physical indicators such as poor hygiene, constant hunger, malnutrition, lack of medical treatment and frequent school absenteeism, as well as behavioural and emotional indicators such as poor concentration, social withdrawal, low self-esteem, developmental delays and excessive responsibility for siblings.

🔍 It is important to remember that indicators do not automatically confirm neglect.

A child may present with one or more indicators for many different reasons. Good child protection practice requires us to:
✔️ Gather information from multiple sources
✔️ Conduct observations and home visits
✔️ Consider collateral information
✔️ Analyse patterns over time
✔️ Apply professional judgement
✔️ Assess safety and risk

📖 Useful practice references:

📋 Section 1 of the Children's Act (Definition of Neglect)
📋 Regulation 35(2)
📋 Form 22 – Reporting suspected abuse or neglect
📋 Form 23 – Investigation and assessment
📋 Safety Assessments
📋 Risk Assessments

💡 Neglect is often not a single event. It is a pattern of unmet needs over time.

💬What indicators of neglect do you most frequently encounter in practice?





⚖️ Disclaimer:
This series reflects my professional opinion, experience, interpretation of legislation and research in child protection practice. Professional opinions and interpretations may differ. The information shared is intended to encourage reflection, learning and discussion within the child protection field.

════════════════════
🔴 CHILD PROTECTION WEEK SERIES | #6 Sexual Abuse
════════════════════

Understanding Sexual Abuse

When we hear the term sexual abuse, many people immediately think of physical contact. However, sexual abuse is much broader than that.

The Children's Act includes a range of behaviours that constitute sexual abuse, including sexual molestation, sexual exploitation, exposing children to po*******hy and using children for the sexual gratification of another person.

In today's slides, we explore:
🔹 The definition of sexual abuse in Section 1 of the Children's Act
🔹 The definition of a sexual offence
🔹 The proposed amendment contained in the Children's Amendment Bill
🔹 Common indicators that may alert us to possible sexual abuse
🔹 The important distinction between contact abuse and non-contact abuse

One of the most important messages from today's discussion is that sexual abuse does not always involve physical contact. Children may be harmed through grooming, exposure to po*******hy, voyeurism, flashing, sexting and other non-contact sexual offences.

These experiences can have a profound impact on a child's safety, wellbeing and development.

As practitioners, our role is not only to recognise indicators, but also to conduct careful assessments, gather collateral information and apply professional judgement when concerns arise.
💡 Indicators raise concern.
💡 Assessment helps uncover the child's story.





⚖️ Disclaimer: This series reflects my professional opinion, experience, interpretation of legislation and research in child protection practice. Professional opinions and interpretations may differ. The information shared is intended to encourage reflection, learning and discussion within the child protection field.

🎉 CELEBRATING 9 000 FOLLOWERS 🎉

What an incredible milestone!

A heartfelt THANK YOU to every person who follows, likes, comments, shares and engages with Child Protection in Action.

This page started with a simple goal: to share knowledge, encourage discussion and support those working to protect children. Today, we are a community of 9 000 people committed to learning, growing and making a difference in the lives of children and families.

Whether you are a social worker, social auxiliary worker, child and youth care worker, educator, healthcare professional, student or simply someone who cares about children - thank you for being part of this journey.

Every follow, every share and every conversation helps to strengthen child protection practice and promote children's rights.

Together, we continue to learn, advocate and stand up for children.

Stay Ahead of the Legal Curve: The Children’s Bill, 2025

Legislative shifts change how we protect children on the ground. This specialized, budget-friendly briefing session is designed to unpack the latest updates, amendments, and implications of the new Children's Bill, 2025. Stay informed and ahead of the curve!

⚠️ Please note: There is no CPD application for this legislative update session, but the knowledge is essential for current practice.

📅 Date: 18 June 2026
⏰ Time: 08h30 – 16h00
💰 Cost: R300 per person
💻 Platform: Zoom

Knowledge is protection. Ensure your practice remains current and compliant.

📧 To register, email: [email protected]

════════════════════
🔶 CHILD PROTECTION WEEK SERIES | #5 Emotional Abuse
════════════════════

Emotional Abuse: The Abuse We Cannot Always See

When people hear the word abuse, they often think of bruises, burns or physical injuries. But emotional abuse may leave no visible marks.

A child who is constantly criticised, humiliated, rejected, isolated, threatened or exposed to family violence may carry emotional wounds that are not immediately visible to others.

Emotional abuse can affect a child's self-worth, emotional development, relationships and ability to trust others.

In today's slides, we look at:
🔸 What emotional abuse is
🔸 Common indicators that may alert us to possible emotional harm
🔸 Why assessment remains essential

As child protection practitioners, we need to look beyond behaviour and ask:
What might this child be experiencing emotionally?
💡 Behaviour may be communication.
💡 Indicators raise questions.
💡 Assessment helps us understand the child's story.





⚖️ Disclaimer:
This series reflects my professional opinion, experience, interpretation of legislation and research in child protection practice. Professional opinions and interpretations may differ. The information shared is intended to encourage reflection, learning and discussion within the child protection field.

════════════════════
⚖️ CHILD PROTECTION WEEK SERIES | #4 Physical Abuse
════════════════════

Physical abuse is more than a visible injury.

Section 1 of the Children's Act reminds us that physical abuse includes the deliberate injury or assault of a child. While bruises, burns, fractures and other injuries may be indicators, effective child protection practice requires us to look beyond the injury itself.

Indicators raise questions. Assessment helps us find answers.

As practitioners, we must consider the child's circumstances, the explanation provided, patterns of concern, available evidence and the child's safety before reaching conclusions.
⚖️ For further guidance, have a look at:
📍 Section 1 of the Children's Act
📍 Regulation 35(2)
📍 Form 22

📓 Remember: "An injury tells us something happened. Assessment helps us understand what."






⚖️ Disclaimer:
This series reflects my professional opinion, experience, interpretation of legislation and research in child protection practice. Professional opinions and interpretations may differ. The information shared is intended to encourage reflection, learning and discussion within the child protection field.

Mastering the Cornerstone of Child Protection

As a child protection social worker, the Children’s Act is your daily roadmap—but applying it confidently in complex, real-world crises is an ongoing practice. Join us for this intensive 4-part Zoom workshop to deepen your practical understanding and ensure your statutory interventions are rock-solid.

🏅 Earn 15 CPD Points (for SW and SAW)
📅 Dates: 4, 5, 11, and 12 June 2026
⏰ Time: 08h30 – 13h00 daily
💰 Cost: R900 per person
💻 Platform: Zoom

Equip yourself with the legal clarity you need to advocate fiercely for vulnerable children.

📧 Book your spot today: [email protected]

Social Workers and Social Auxiliary Workers, it’s time to secure your CPD points and sharpen your skills for the mid-year line-up. Sanet Viljoen presents a comprehensive series of specialized Zoom workshops (and one exclusive in-person event in Port Elizabeth!) designed to support you on the front lines of child protection.

Take a look at our upcoming schedule, pick the sessions that meet your professional needs, and book early to secure your spot.

📥 How to register:
📧 Email us at [email protected] or [email protected] 📞 Contact: 084 800 1234

Let’s keep learning, growing, and protecting together. 💚

════════════════════
⚖️ CHILD PROTECTION WEEK SERIES | #3
════════════════════

CA = Child Abuse

When people hear the term child abuse, they often think only of physical injuries.

⚖️ However, Section 1 of the Children's Act reminds us that child abuse is much broader and includes a range of actions and behaviours that may cause harm to a child.

Child abuse may include:
✔️ Physical abuse
✔️ Sexual abuse
✔️ Bullying by another child
✔️ Labour practices that exploit a child
✔️ Behaviour that harms a child psychologically or emotionally

💡 One of the most important reminders for child protection practitioners is that not all abuse leaves visible signs.

As we continue our Child Protection Week series, we will unpack the different forms of abuse and explore how they may present in practice.

📚 Tomorrow we will take a closer look at Physical Abuse.





⚖️ Disclaimer:
This series reflects my professional opinion, experience, interpretation of legislation and research in child protection practice. Professional opinions may differ. The information shared is intended to encourage reflection, learning and discussion.