A concerned caller reported that several children were being physically abused by their father, who was struggling with alcohol abuse. The caller was particularly worried about the psychological impact the abuse was having on one of the children.
Childline KZN documented the concerns and referred the matter to social workers on the same day. Our counsellor continued to follow up with the school, the Department of Social Development and the social work supervisor to ensure that the children were receiving the support they needed.
Recognising that the family needed more than one form of intervention, Childline KZN also contacted SANCA to assist the father with his alcohol dependency.
Follow-up with the social worker and educator confirmed that the children had received assistance, while the father had also begun counselling through SANCA.
This is what child protection looks like in practice: responding to the immediate safety of children while also connecting families with the support they need to begin addressing the circumstances contributing to the harm.
