Parents must ensure the safety of their children over the festive season – Alex News

The Alex Kidz Clinic, which runs counselling and rehabilitation services for abused and neglected children, has issued a passionate plea to parents to always guard their children and to know their whereabouts at all times.

Social worker and manager of the clinic Elizabeth Mokwena issued the plea as the township draws nearer to the festive period which has become commonly known as the ‘silly season' in which criminals are known to prey on both the young and old and crime often takes a steep rise.

Mokwena said children were not immune to the crime, especially crimes of abuse, murder, rape and human trafficking, including cybercrimes where criminals groom children so as to take advantage of them and lure them to where they can abuse them.

Some of the key messages and safety tips for the festive season:

• Children must not be left unattended at home, or swimming pools, or refrain from drinking alcohol when your children are at swimming pools or beaches. As a parent, we must always be alert and safeguard our children. Parents and caregivers should always be aware of their children's location and ensure they are only left with a responsible and trusted adult.
• Hold your child's hand in public and always accompany them to the bathroom.
• Children should never be left in hot cars even on a mild day as it can lead to seizures, and brain damage. Liver or kidney failure and even death.
• Don't accept gifts and rewards for your children from persons you don't know.
• Be careful of persons who approach you and impress that you have beautiful children who can join a modeling agency: Child trafficking is real.
• Child trafficking, child sexual exploitation, and being used to commit crimes are real.
• Mokwena urged parents to always ensure their children have safe and responsible use of the internet that protects children and young people at all times.