An integrated care and protection plan for children in the Western Cape

In spite of existing legislation, policies, strategies and interventions, the incidence of reported violations against children in the province is very serious and has been so far a number of years. Almost each day, the public is confronted with extensive media coverage the violence against children. This holds true for the entire country and even truer for the Western Cape Province. Children disappear, children are abused, children are commercially sexually exploited, children are raped and physically assaulted. Some, if not most, of the violations are often with fatal consequences. This begs a number of questions as to what is wrong with the existing child protection measures. Where are the shortcomings? Why are children falling through the cracks, often with fatal consequences? Why are families, neighbors, communities and the society in general not able to protect children?