1. What is child abuse?
2. What is child neglect?
3. What is child labour?
4. What is child exploitation?
5. Where can I report child abuse, neglect, labour or exploitation?
6. What will happen to the child then?
7. What should I do if I report the case and nothing happens?
8. Where else can I go for help related to child abuse, neglext, labour or exploitation?

There are two types of child neglect, namely:

1. Neglect as a form of abuse (intentional) This is when those who are supposed to meet a child's basic needs fail to do so despite having the resources to do so.
2. Circumstantial neglect This is when those who are supposed to meet a child's basic needs fail to do so because they do not have the necessary resources to do so. These resources can be material (e.g. food and clothing), practical (e.g. transport to school) or intellectual and emotional (e.g. if a parent has a debilitating and uncontrolled psychiatric illness).

• The police
• A social worker
• The Department of Social Development's toll-free number: 0800 220 230

1. A report is made
   There is no need to report the matter to both a social worker and the police, since the police will contact a social worker (and vice versa - the social worker will contact the police) as soon as the report has been made.
2. The case is investigated
   Once both the police and a social worker are aware of the situation, the two parties will together investigate the child's situation and interview the child. The police will take a statement, while the social worker will do an initial assessment.
3. The child is given medical care

If the child is in need of medical attention, which is often the situation in cases of physical or sexual abuse or extreme neglect, the social worker will make sure that the child is examined by a District Surgeon.
4. The child may be removed
   If the social worker thinks the child may still be at risk, he or she will remove the child on a "Form 4", which is a legal document granting the child's removal, and put him or her in a place of safety.

   At this point, the case is registered with the provincial Department of Social Development.

OR

The suspect may be removed
If the alleged perpetrator is not one of the child's caregivers but lives with the child, the police will remove the suspect and the child will remain with his or her family. The family will also receive family services from the social worker.

5. The case goes to court
   If the matter appears before a criminal court, the social worker assigned to the case will prepare an impact statement for the judge. He or she will also liaise with the social worker at the court.
6. Preparing for a court appearance
   The social worker at the court will prepare the child for a court appearance and make sure that the child is protected during court proceedings. The prosecutor is closely involved with the case at this stage.

During this time, the social worker at the court, the social worker assigned to the case and the police will liaise with each other on matters relating to the case.

7. After the trial/If the case does not go to court
   The social worker assigned to the case will keep working with the child's family until he or she is convinced the child is safe and the family is able to protect the child.

   If the social worker is convinced that the child and the child's surroundings are both safe, the case will be deregistered with the provincial Department of Social Development. The name of the child and the circumstances surrounding the abuse will, however, remain on the Child Protection Register until the child turns 18.

   If the social worker does not feel that the child can safely be returned to his or her family, the child will be placed in foster care for a two-year period, after which the situation will be reviewed.

• South African Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (external link)
• Childline (external link)
• Volunteer Child Network
(external link)