1. This circular and protocol replaces the Abuse No More Protocol (2001) and Circular 0095/2002 in its entirety.
2. The Children’s Act, 2005 (Act 38 of 2005) and the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act, 2007 (Act 32 of 2007) clearly states that educators have a mandatory duty to report child abuse, deliberate neglect and sexual offences against children. Failure to report under this legislation is a criminal offence.
3. As educators are obligatory reporters of child abuse, deliberate neglect and sexual offences against children they have an important role to play in identifying and referring such cases; hence the need for clear guidelines and procedures in line with the above-mentioned legislation. Due to new developments in the Children’s Act and the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act and its regulations, the Abuse No More Protocol (2001) had to be amended to comply with the relevant sections and regulations.
4. The Amended Abuse No More Protocol (2014) was developed in consultation and collaboration with school social workers and the heads of Specialised Learner and Educator Support of the 8 district offices, the Department of Health, Department of Social Development, South African Police Service, Department of Justice and Constitutional Development, National Prosecution Authority, Western Cape Education Department, Department of the Premier and the Provincial Gender Justice Forum representing the above departments and the following organisations/institutions: Mosaic, Child line, Women Legal Centre, Law Resource Society, Cape Law Society, Resources Aimed at the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect (RAPCAN), Rape Crisis, University of Cape Town, University of the Western Cape, Anex: Human Trafficking, Anex: Child Labour and Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT).
5. To assist educational institutions in the management of child abuse, deliberate neglect and sexual offences against children the Amended Abuse No More Protocol (2014) is attached.
6. The content of this circular and protocol should be brought to the attention of all educators, other staff members, parents, learners and community members concerned.


SIGNED: PA VINJEVOLD
HEAD: EDUCATION
DATE: 2014:07:31

Abuse No More Protocol  (size: 1 011 KB)