The Children’s Hospital Trust has launched a fund-raising drive to help children at Red Cross War Memorial Hospital who are victims of abuse and neglect.
The Children’s Hospital Trust has started a new campaign during Child Protection Week to raise funds to support children at Red Cross War Memorial Hospital who are victims of abuse and neglect.
“With the help of many generous donors, the Children’s Hospital Trust aims to raise R100 000 in this campaign,” said the trust’s CEO, Chantel Cooper.
The “I am every child: This is my reality” campaign will support the R8.9 million Child Protection Project, which was started last year to strengthen child-protection services at the hospital.
According to Ms Cooper, 600 to 700 child-protection cases were referred to the hospital’s social work department in 2019. “One in three are cases for severe physical abuse or neglect and one in six are cases of sexual assault,” she said.
Head of the hospital’s clinical unit, Dr Heloise Buys, said the hospital had to ensure that abused children achieved their developmental potential in a safe and loving manner.
“If we fail, the cost to society will be immeasurable,” she said.
Visit childrenshospitaltrust.org.za, call 021 686 7860 or email cht@chtrust.org.za to find out more about the campaign.