What are you doing about child abuse?

Abstract

The Prevention of Family Violence Act, No 33 of 1993, Section 4 read with section 6, makes it an offence for any person who examines, treats, attends to, advises, instructs or cares for any child not to report any suspicion of abuse to a police official, social worker or Commissioner of Child Welfare. If found guilty, the sentence is a fine, or imprisonment up to three months. In terms of Section 42 of the Child Care Act No 74 of 1983, a dentist, medical practitioner, nurse or social worker who deals with a child, commits an offence if suspected child abuse is not reported to the Director General, Welfare or any officer designated by the latter. If found guilty, the sentence is a R4 000 fine or imprisonment for one year.