MISSION & GOAL
Women & Men Against Child Abuse is a non-profit Child Protection Organisation committed to fighting for the rights of the child and to end the abuse of children in South Africa, through a multifaceted, dynamic and aggressive offensive against any form of abuse and gender violence.
ORGANISATION
Under the umbrella body of WMACA there are two Kidz Clinics – in Alexandra and Boksburg – and various prevention and diversion programmes to assist abused children.
Besides actual service delivery WMACA is very vocal in its advocacy role, using the media and other platforms to highlight any injustices that abused children have to endure through inadequate judicial processes.
MAIN PROJECT OBJECTIVE OF THE KIDZ CLINICS
To provide FREE Medical and therapeutic intervention and treatment services to abused children.
To provide a one-stop holistic basket of services to abused and vulnerable children and their parents, and to educate and empower other children, to prevent abuse.
WHAT WE DO
Established in 1997, WMACA is very outspoken in its role as advocacy organisation, challenging inadequacies in the justice system and raising awareness about the many and complicated issues around child abuse and its effects on the victims.
Under the umbrella body of WMACA there are two Kidz Clinics – in Alexandra and Boksburg – as well as various prevention and diversion programmes to assist abused children. Read more about our Kidz Clinics.
WHO WE ARE
The spiralling increase in incidents of child abuse in our country necessitated the provision of specialised child-abuse facilities, as well as the introduction of preventative programmes to break the complex cycle of abuse.
The cycle of abuse is such that it has a domino-effect, and the number of people whose lives are affected by just one incident is immeasurable. This proves very costly to society in general, as child abuse can have a profound impact on the emotional, behavioral, cognitive, social, and physical development of children. In some cases this results in lifelong loss of potential, and chronic mental and physical health problems.
Our first Kidz Clinic opened its doors in Boksburg in June 2000, and the Kidz Clinic in Alexandra was opened in December 2003. With funding from Pick ‘n Pay our third clinic officially opened in Orange Farm in May 2006. The Kidz Clinics are one-stop child-friendly centres providing free medical and psychological treatment for children who have been sexually, physically and emotionally violated.
The Kidz Clinic also features a replica of a real-life courtroom, where children who are required to testify against their perpetrators in court are introduced to the legal system by court preparation officers. Here, simulated court sessions are held, during which children are prepared for court procedure. This important process minimises their fears and prevents secondary trauma to the child.
By identifying the need to introduce effective measures to prevent the abuse of children, our organisation introduced three preventative and support programmes that deal with education, rehabilitation and counseling.
Women and Men Against Child Abuse has been extremely outspoken in its offensive against child abuse. The organisation has also been instrumental in raising awareness, which has led to growing public support. By breaking the silence surrounding the sexual abuse of children, and highlighting the inadequacies within government structures, the organisation has made great strides and effected positive change in many areas.
