Child protection month is observed this May and Stellenbosch police is calling all locals to help keep children safe.

“Child protection month reminds communities to work together to keep children safe from abuse, neglect, violence, exploitation and online dangers,” explains Stellenbosch police spokesperson Captain Nathalie Martin.

She adds parents, caregivers, schools, and communities all play an important role.

Martin encourages parents to encourage open communication with their children so they feel safe reporting problems or abuse – children should not be scared to talk to their parents.

Parents and guardians should always know where their children are, who they are with, and when they will return home. Make sure your young ones know the local safe places to go in emergencies, such as police stations, hospitals or trusted neighbours.

An ever changing world unfortunately also means every changing dangers. Martin urge parents to monitor their children’s social media and online gaming activities and teach children not to share personal information or photos with strangers online. “Children should be encourage to report cyberbullying, threats or suspicious online behaviour. Warn children about online predators pretending to be friends. Keep parental controls and privacy settings activated on devices.”

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According to A21, a non-profit that exists to abolish human trafficking around the world, predators use all social media platforms — from WhatsApp to online games — to “make friends” with children. “Many times people think they need to be on guard about what their teenagers are doing online, but the reality is that children as young as three years old are playing and using the internet,” explains Melissa Visser, a local coordinator for A21. The modus operandi is for pedophiles to gain the trust of young people online and after building trust, to gradually turn the conversations more intimate. Visser says perpetrators then persuade children to send naked photos of themselves, and because the children believe they are talking to someone their own age — a “friend” — they do.

Signs for parents to look for include fearfulness, withdrawal, sudden behaviour changes, injuries or declining school performance.

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Children should be encouraged to report bullying, gang activity, weapons or threats at school Martin says. In an effort to help local learners be aware of bullying Stellenbosch police have recently had various outreaches to local Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres and primary and high schools including Kabouterland, AF Louw Primary School en Stellenzicht High School.

Through the outreaches the learners were told to report serious bullying to school management or authorities if necessary.

“Communities should protect children by reporting abuse, neglect, trafficking and exploitation,” Martin says. She suggests all faith based organisations, schools, and community leaders should work together to create safer environments for all children.