The Western Cape Education Department has updated their protocol for managing child abuse, deliberate neglect and sexual offences against children – know as the “ABUSE NO MORE” protocol.

Follow this link to download a copy Abuse No More Protocol 2025-Eng (002)

Introduction

Child abuse, deliberate neglect and sexual offences against children are serious problems that currently exist in communities and education institutions throughout South Africa. This concern was raised by President Cyril Ramaphosa when he declared violence and sexual offences against children, women and the LGBTQIA+ community as the second pandemic following COVID-19. Subsequently, this protocol has been developed to help WCED institutions, employees, learners and parents/guardians/caregivers to deal with these problems in the most efficient and effective way.

The reporting procedures contained in this protocol may be used by learners, educators, employees, parents/guardians/caregivers or any other persons. All WCED employees must therefore ensure that they are fully familiar with the contents of this protocol and that they have a clear understanding of their role in combating child abuse, deliberate neglect and sexual offences against children.

The effective management of these problems can be achieved only if procedures are based on a strong legal foundation. Therefore, in drafting this protocol, all relevant legislation regarding children, including the NSP on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, 2020, have been considered and applied.

The six pillars set out in the NSP on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide, 2020, guide all spheres of government and civil society on the management of gender-based violence in
respect of all vulnerable groups, particularly children.

The six pillars are as follows:
Pillar 1: Accountability, Coordination and Leadership
Pillar 2: Prevention and Rebuilding Social Cohesion
Pillar 3: Protection, Safety and Justice
Pillar 4: Response, Care, Support and Healing
Pillar 5: Economic Power
Pillar 6: Research and Information Systems

The relevant legislation highlights the responsibility of educators and non-educators who may suspect or deal with disclosures of child abuse, deliberate neglect and sexual offences against children, and their mandatory duty to report such incidents in the prescribed manner.