Torah Academy leads concerted effort to combat child abuse

SUZANNE BELLING

PHOTOGRAPH: MICHAEL BELLING

He was speaking as part of an ongoing proactive programme at TA in training to maintain a safe environment, complying with acceptable standards of halacha and South African legislation in relation to matters regarding the abuse of children.

“Parents need to be proactive and have a preventive approach to abuse,” Lamprecht said.

Dalya Erster, who heads up the social work department at TA, revealed that 95 per cent of abuse is committed with the child knowing the person committing the act. Other statistics show that 60 per cent of abuse is committed by a person the child trusts; 50 per cent of abused children are under the age of 12 and the same percentage occurs in a one-on-one setting.

The most vulnerable ages are between seven and 13.

“Abuse transcends all socio-economic, educational, racial and cultural groups in South Africa,” she said.

A policy document issued by the schools on safety and security states: “The Torah Academy schools recognise that effective education requires a healthy use of connection and warmth. However, while the majority of interaction between staff and students falls well within the range of normal healthy relationships, certain behaviour could be regarded as incompatible with the goals and standards of the school.”

Erster told parents that they had to work together with the school to ensure the success of the ongoing programme. She gave credit to Kid Safe for raising awareness and for bringing their protective behaviour course to South Africa.

Lamprecht emphasised the unique role that parents can play in monitoring the safety of their children alongside the efforts of the school.

He pointed out that there are three tiers of prevention: primary, secondary and tertiary.

“You are among your children’s primary caregivers and protectors; it starts in the home. Primary prevention is to say, ‘No’.”

In the secondary tier, if a child has been harmed, a parent should not add to the harm by panicking and reacting inappropriately. In the tertiary stage the child is hiding abuse.

Parents must consult with the required professionals to know how best to respond.

Abuse can be by omission, through neglect, or commission, through assault, emotional or sexual abuse including contact or through cyberspace. Parents could also be negligent, increasing the chances of compromising the child.

There is an obvious difference between assault and disciplining children, Lamprecht said.

“We need to understand that sexual abuse is not only contact; it can be verbal or in cyberspace,” he said.

“We also need to be mindful of what we say to children, because words stick.”

He explained the relevant South African legislation with regard to mandatory reporting of abuse.

“It is not your job to decide the truthfulness of what the child says. You have to report verbatim” – and not in terms of an adult understanding.

“Your job is to get some professional to assist to open up a basket of services to protect the child and do what is in the best interests of the child.”

Abusers use force, coercion and “grooming” to overcome the resistance of the child. Social and religious norms and values can help counteract the plans of a would-be abuser.

In his introduction, Rabbi Dovid Hazdan, dean of Torah Academy, said: “In education we need scruples and moral values. There needs to be an absolute commitment to the safety of children.”

The presentation of a short video included learners between the ages of three and 17 expressing their personal thoughts on safety and their appreciation for the process of training and education in this regard.

The Torah Academy has already trained all members of staff as well as all learners from play school to matric in its Protective Behaviour Programme. The presentation to the well-attended parent meeting secured the involvement of this third vital dimension.