Child Protection Week – week planner

The Western Cape Department of Social Development will be commemorating national Child Protection Week (28 May – 4 June 2018) with a series of events under the theme, “Child Protection is Everyone’s Responsibility”.

The incidents of violence and murders against children have continued to shock society. They scar the communities where these incidents happen and leave the families traumatized.

Child Protection Week calls on us all to continue the work of raising awareness about the safety, well-being and development of our children. The Department continues to devote the largest share of its budget to rendering services to children and families – R694 million this year. Child protection cannot however be the role of the government alone.

The Department will be holding various events over this commemorative period. The media are invited to the following events;

Child Protection Week launch in Oudtshoorn

The Western Cape Minister of Social Development, Albert Fritz will launch Child Protection Week with an oversight visit to the DSD local office in Oudtshoorn. The Minister is also set to make a major, game-changing service delivery announcement.

The Minister will be joined by child protection organization, ACVV who will make a presentation to the Minister. The Minister will also join other social partners (Such as the SAPS) in activities across Oudtshoorn, including field cricket, drummies display and a puppet show.

Date: 28 May 2018 (Monday)

Launch of Mitchells Plain Child Play Therapy Room

The Western Cape Department of Social Development will launch the innovative and world-class Child Play Therapy Room at its Mitchells Plain local office. This facility is a game changer in the child protection sector, as it enables specialist Child Protection social workers to assist children who have been physically, emotionally and/or sexually abused.

Date: 29 May 2018 (Tuesday)

Time: 09:00 am

Venue: 45 Alpha Street, Mitchells Plain, Cape Town.

Child Resilience Focus Group with Grade 7 learners 

Minister Fritz will end his Child Protection Week programme by hosting 60 learners from various schools across Cape Town, each situated in a different community with unique challenges, for a Focus Group and cultural exchange session.

Facilitators and social workers will work with the children, with the view of imparting emotional coping tools and to help the children build resilience, especially in light of the major change they’re about to embark on from primary school to high school.

Date: 04 June 2018 (Monday)

Time: 14:30 pm

Venue: Centre for the Book, 62 Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town