Be careful what you post: Are you protecting or inadvertently exposing child abuse victims?
A local child protection organisation is urging the public to think twice before posting about child abuse cases, highlighting the need to protect young survivors from further harm.
Picture: © rido/123rf.com
CapeTalk's Clarence Ford is joined by Dr Ronel Aylward, General Manager at child protection organisation CMR (Christelik Maatskaplike Raad Noord) North.
Listen below:
More children are finding the courage to speak out about abuse.
But a concerning trend is emerging: their stories, which are sometimes incomplete and even sometimes still under investigation, are being shared in the public domain far too early.
CMR North is calling for people to be more considerate in what they share on public forums.
They say it is not about silencing survivors, but rather safeguarding children who have already endured profound trauma.
"We're seeing a growing trend where child abuse cases are being shared publicly and on social media, often in community forums."
- Dr Ronel Aylward, CMR North
Aylward says that while cases are often shared with good intentions, it is done without safeguarding the children concerned.
"Our concern is that these disclosures, even when done anonymously, can cause long-term harm to the children involved."
- Dr Ronel Aylward, CMR North
Aylward says the child's trauma is often shared, which puts them at risk of retraumatisation, social stigma and even secondary abuse.
"[We want to] remind everyone that a child's dignity must always come first."
- Dr Ronel Aylward, CMR North
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