The Abraham Kriel Children’s Home Nylstroom today expressed its displeasure as no provision is made in the crime statistics specifically for crimes committed against women and children. The government’s crime prevention strategy to reduce violence against women and children cannot be measured if there is no standard against which the strategy is measured.

The Children’s Home is appealing to the Minister of Police, Bheki Cele, to pay urgent attention to this so that violence and crime against children are combated. Adequate resources must be available to deal with such matters. It is recommended that officers investigating these matters should have the necessary training and expertise to handle the children with the necessary sensitivity and understanding.

“We have a responsibility to ensure that children are cared for and protected after something terrible has happened to them,” said Marlene de Villiers, spokesperson for the Abraham Kriel Children’s Home Nylstroom.

The Children’s Home has launched a petition to bring the seriousness of the problem to the attention of the government so that it can be dealt with. They want to collect 100,000 signatures before December. The petition will be handed over to the office of the President on 10 December 2020. The public is requested to support the initiative by visiting the Children’s Home’s website at https://www.akknyl.co.za/childrens-lives-matter/ or by texting your NAME to 39236 (terms and conditions apply) and ʼn Make a R15 donation.