Brave Voices Build Safe Futures
Be the One Who Speaks Up. Report Child Abuse.
April holds powerful meaning in South Africa, a month where we honour Freedom Day, celebrate Family Day, and acknowledge Sexual Assault Awareness Month. But as we commemorate these pillars of freedom, family, and safety, we must also confront an urgent and heartbreaking truth: child abuse is rising, and far too often, it hides in silence.
At TEARS Foundation, we believe that brave voices build safe futures. This April, we’re calling on every South African, especially those in caregiving, teaching, and leadership roles, to step into their responsibility and be the one who speaks up.
The Responsibility to Report Abuse
Every adult plays a vital role in protecting children, and all adults have a a legal duty to act. In South Africa, mandatory reporting laws make it clear:
If you are an adult or a functionary (teacher, healthcare provider, social worker, police officer, or community leader) you are legally obliged to report any known or suspected abuse to the Department of Social Development or the South African Police Service (SAPS). Functionaries are legally required to report and perform a risk assessment.
But beyond the law, there’s a moral obligation too, because staying silent doesn’t protect the child. It protects the abuser.
The Cost of Inaction
When we stay silent, we become part of the cycle and even become an accomplice. Children who are not protected often become trapped in ongoing trauma that shapes their lives for years to come.
Our TEARS 24/7 Hope Centre has seen this pattern: reports often come only after the damage has occurred, and sometimes after it’s too late to prevent further harm. Every moment of hesitation can cost a child their chance at safety, healing, and justice.
How to Report Abuse – Practical Steps
1. Recognise the Signs
Children may not always speak out, but their behaviour often does. Be alert to:
- Unexplained injuries
- Sudden changes in behaviour or school performance
- Fearfulness or withdrawal
- Age-inappropriate sexual knowledge
- Reluctance to go home or be around certain individuals
2. Where and How to Report:
If you suspect abuse, here’s how to take immediate action:
- TEARS Foundation: 24/7 TOLL FREE HELPLINE: 08000 TEARS / 08000 83277
- Childline South Africa: Call 116
- SAPS Crime Stop: 08600 10111
- Department of Social Development: Visit your local DSD office or report online via their portal
- In an emergency, Dial TEARS Foundation’s 24/7 USSD Emergency service on *134*7355# and choose Option 2 for assistance by Namola or go directly to the police or nearest hospital
3. Report Safely and Confidentially
You don’t need all the facts to make a report, suspicion alone is enough to raise the alarm. While some services, like TEARS Foundation or Childline, allow for anonymous and confidential informal reporting, others, such as the South African Police Service (SAPS), typically require a formal written statement and may assign a case number for follow-up. This can involve providing as much detail as possible about the incident or suspicion. However, when reporting in good faith, the law protects your identity, as well as, protecting you from retaliation, especially if you’re a mandatory reporter. If you’re unsure, organisations like TEARS Foundation can guide you through the process and help you report safely.
Creating a Culture of Accountability
Real change happens when we create a culture where speaking up is normal and expected.
- For individuals: Don’t wait. Be the one who acts. Educate yourself, listen to children, and trust your instincts.
- For institutions: Train staff, build trauma-informed practices, and create safe spaces for disclosure. TEARS Training Academy is available to assist with this.
- For policymakers and advocates: Push for stronger protections, faster interventions, and consistent enforcement of mandatory reporting laws.
This April, Be Brave. Be Loud. Be the One.
Children cannot always protect themselves. But we can. Silence enables abuse, but courage interrupts it.
Let’s turn April into more than a month of observance, let’s make it a turning point. Let’s be a nation of brave voices who build safe futures.
If you suspect child abuse, don’t look away. Report it, at any police station or call TEARS Foundation on 08000 TEARS / 08000 83277.
One call can save a child’s life.