Kortez (16) from Mafikeng (NorthWest)

Let us fight HIV/AIDS and child abuse together

Children are exposed to abuse because they don’€™t know that they have the right to say NO

Because of this children are abused each and every day

Those who are already abused must get counseling

The person who is abusive must be the one who is removed from the home, not the child

If a child is removed the first options for places of safety must be in the community so that the child can still go to the same school and have the same friends

The government should see to it that abusers go to jail, because they are mostly not arrested

There should be NO second chance

Anyone knowing about someone abusing a child must report it

Make court processes easier for children to access

Stop abusive caregivers from seeing their children

Bring more social workers nearer to the community

Create a 24-hour toll free number in different languages where children can call to report abuse

Empower children to look after and protect themselves, but the primary responsibility must remain with the caregiver

Nkosingiphile (13) from Ingwavuma (KwaZulu-Natal)

The right to food

The right to water

The right to shelter

Rebecca (14) from Ingwavuma (KwaZulu-Natal)

The right to be a child

The right to identity (including an identity document)

The right to speak and be listened to

The right not to be treated like a slave at home and the right not to be beaten

It is abuse if you hit a child repeatedly or when you hit a child until he or she bleeds or has bruises or if you use something dangerous like a glass or a hard belt

A better way of disciplining a child is talking to him or her so that the child can understand

Kurt (16) from Cape Town (Western Cape)

The right to education

The right to health care

The right to be looked after and have a home

The right to equal opportunities and to development

Tell people about their rights

Rebane (16) from Mafikeng (NorthWest)

The right to be cared for

The right to play and the right to rest

The right not to suffer mentally

The right not to be taken advantage of and abused

Parents must take responsibility

Holly (17) from Cape Town (Western Cape)

Caregivers should:

• take children to the doctor when they are sick
• give children healthy nutritious food
• make sure that children get an education by paying for school fees or organizing subsidies or alternative options, buying uniforms and paying for transport to school
• listen to children, set reasonable rules, provide discipline and give advice when needed
• care for, love and protect children to the best of their abilities
• respect children. This means they must not beat children, humiliate them or use them for labour
• provide children with clothes and shelter
• help children to make the best decisions for their lives

Caregivers should not:

• drink too much alcohol or partake in illegal substances
• abuse children by shouting at them, insulting them, being sarcastic and saying hurtful things. They should not abuse them physically, mentally or emotionally
• bring down a child’€™s self esteem
• ignore children by not talking to them and not listening to them
• neglect children and make them feel unwanted
• be unfriendly to children

Tebogo (15) from Polokwane (Limpopo)

Children must be protected

Parents must also know their rights and responsibilities

Sihle (16) from Ingwavuma (KwaZulu-Natal)

Parents should respect their children’€™s rights

Children should not be abused