Latest news with #CapeCareFund
IOL News
02-07-2025
- IOL News
Social worker reveals alarming trends of minors engaging in prostitution via social media
Civil organisations and the Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) have made a plea after a social worker shared insights into one of the problems they have to deal with. Image: Pexels / Supplied Parents have again been urged to remain protective and engaged in the online habits of their children, and that they are not being victims of sexual abuse or exploitation. Civil organisations and the Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) have made a plea after a social worker shared insights into one of the problems they have to deal with. During the launch of the DSD's Cape Care Fund, which allows the public to donate towards NGOs that assist the most vulnerable, ACVV Child Protection's Preshema Sewpaul highlighted the immense challenges social workers face. Sewpaul, who works as a social worker in the Cape metro - across areas as Factreton, Kensington, Brooklyn - said their challenges are spread out depending on the area. She said the Factreton area is very rife with gangsterism and substance abuse, and within the Maitland-Brooklyn area, they are facing not only excessive physical abuse, but also minors engaging in prostitution. 'We have a lot of children from there (the area) sitting on social media, deciding to use social media due to high rates of prostitution, and… For them, it's not so much that they stand on the corner. They meet people through social media, alleging that they're over 18, and then they have older foreigners who believe this, and then engage with them sexually. 'And then they are falling pregnant and/or getting STDs. So in that area, I have high rates of teenage pregnancies and runaways from home,' Sewpaul said. The phenomenon of minors being sexual online is not new, with a study from ECPAT, a global network of civil society organisations dedicated to ending child sexual exploitation, in 2021 already explaining that children have always explored their sexuality. 'It is important that adults remind themselves that a lot of a child's life takes place online, meaning that most of what is part and parcel of being a child or young person will also take place there. 'This means that flirting, falling in love, and sex will all be a natural part of children and young people's lives online. Children and young people will continue to explore and experiment with sex, regardless of what their parents say; for many people, the internet may be a safe space to do this,' the study said. 'Occasionally, this will mean that children engage in risk-filled behaviours such as sending nude photographs to each other, having online sex, or meeting people they have got to know online. It is important to remember that risk is not necessarily synonymous with harm, and it is the latter that is important to avoid.' The Sex Worker Education and Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT) spokesperson, Megan Lessing, said while they have not come across any similar incidents, they believe that even anecdotal evidence should be taken seriously, and that all efforts should be made to shield teens from sexual exploitation. 'Concerns about young people — particularly in under-resourced areas — using social media to engage in transactional sex have been raised anecdotally in various contexts, and they deserve careful attention. 'Even where detailed evidence is limited, these community observations often reflect broader challenges we do see: poverty, lack of opportunity, and limited access to safe, youth-friendly services. These are the conditions that increase vulnerability, especially for young people navigating digital spaces without adequate support or protection,' Lessing said. 'It's important to distinguish between minors (under 18) and young adult sex workers (18+). When minors engage in transactional sex, it is not considered sex work; rather, it is exploitation, and they require protection and support. The dangers include grooming, violence, coercion, and trafficking, with little to no recourse or protection. 'For young adults who are of legal age and choose to do sex work, the use of social media brings both opportunity and risk. While platforms can help them connect with clients more discreetly, they also open them up to digital surveillance, harassment, blackmail, and unsafe working conditions. Because sex work remains criminalised in South Africa, these young adults often cannot access the full range of legal or health services they need to stay safe,' Lessing said. Lessing added that if a child or teen is being sexually exploited — whether in person or online — caregivers should prioritise their safety and wellbeing. 'This means responding with empathy, not punishment, and seeking professional support. Judgment and shame can push young people further into harm's way. 'If a young person is legally an adult and is engaging in sex work, it is still important for families to remain supportive, offer non-judgmental guidance, and help connect them to information, services, and safer options — if that's what they want.' She added that many young adults enter sex work to survive, especially where education, employment, or housing options are limited. Lessing said that it is also important to clarify that sex work is not the same as trafficking or child exploitation. 'Lumping these together harms both adult sex workers and survivors of exploitation by preventing appropriate, tailored responses… We need to understand that survival sex and sex work among youth often arise from systemic failure: lack of housing, education, income, and support. 'Criminalising young adults for trying to survive doesn't solve the problem; it deepens the harm,' Lessing said. Lessing said that SWEAT advocates for the full decriminalisation of adult sex work and stressed that it would improve safety, health access, and rights for all sex workers, including younger adults who are often most vulnerable. 'Criminalisation of sex work discourages reporting, blocks access to justice, and pushes the entire industry underground — making it even harder to detect and address cases of exploitation, including those involving minors.' The Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) and the DSD have come out to urge for the protection of children and that parents and caregivers be vigilant of what their children are doing online. DSD spokesperson Esther Lewis said whether or not the children are the ones seen as initiating contact, 'if they are underage, it remains a criminal offence', and that anyone with knowledge of this should report it to the authorities. 'It is the responsibility of adults to ensure they do not participate in sexual interactions and inappropriate relationships with children. We urge parents and caregivers to monitor their children's social media use, as well as their movements. 'While it's not always possible to watch your child's every move, it's essential that parents know who their children are communicating with online, who their friends are, and where they are going when they leave the home,' Lewis said. 'We acknowledge it is difficult or uncomfortable for some, but it is of the utmost importance that parents have age-appropriate conversations with their children about topics such as sex, sexual health, and STIs, and sensitise them to the potential consequences thereof. 'If parents or caregivers see the early signs of their children displaying challenging behaviour, they should immediately reach out to a social worker for assistance.' CGE spokesperson Javu Baloyi condemned the acts and incidents of sexual abuse directed towards children. 'Communities, particularly parents and guardians, are obligated by law to report the incidents of violence and abuse against those who prey on children. Technology-facilitated violence and crime must be reported to law enforcement agencies. 'Teenage pregnancy shouldn't be normalised; those who sexually violate children must be made to face the law,' Baloyi said. 'Parents and guardians are encouraged to monitor children so that they can minimise the possible harmful exposure children might get on social media. Moreover, society is obligated to report apps that are not child-friendly.' Baloyi said that screen time for children should be monitored to minimise and regulate vulnerabilities. 'More education must be given to children to sensitise them about identifying early warnings of possible online harm. Online self-awareness and being alert are key in identifying possible harm. 'Law enforcement agencies and education institutions must increase dialogues that address technology-facilitated GBV, must be inclusive enough, and must not leave children with disabilities in their online education and awareness efforts.' [email protected]
IOL News
08-06-2025
- Health
- IOL News
DSD launches Cape Care Fund, receives R100k donation from Mayor Hill-Lewis
The Cape Care Fund is a Special Purpose Vehicle created between the Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) and The Health Foundation of South Africa. DSD MEC Jaco Londt addressing the attendees. Image: DSD/Supplied The Cape Care Fund, aimed at boosting and assisting organisations in the social services sector, was launched on Friday amid immense economic challenges facing the sector. The Cape Care Fund is a Special Purpose Vehicle created between the Western Cape Department of Social Development (DSD) and the Health Foundation of South Africa to raise funds to further support the work of DSD through vetted, registered, compliant, well-functioning non-profit organisations (NPOs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) with a proven track record in the social services sector, in the province. NPOs and NGOs in South Africa and the Western Cape are facing the combined impact of static or reduced government transfers and donor funding. The idea of the fund was conceptualised by Social Development MEC Jaco Londt, who said that when he stepped into office last year, one of the things he did was inquire how DSD could strengthen its support to this vital sector. 'Through the Cape Care Fund, we are hopeful to take NPOs and NGOs from surviving to thriving, for the benefit of our most vulnerable residents. I encourage businesses and residents that want to help create positive change by uplifting communities and individuals to support this initiative.' Health Foundation CEO Harry Grainger said: 'The Cape Care Fund exemplifies how innovative financing, and strategic collaboration can contribute to improved economic resilience and sustainable development. We invite all stakeholders to join us in this transformative journey—working together towards a sustainable, inclusive, and healthier society." ACVV Child Protection's Preshema Sewpaul, who works in the Cape metro, in areas such as Factreton, Kensington, Brooklyn, and more, shared that they face immense challenges. 'The challenges are quite spread out, depending on which area I'm in. Like, for example, the Factreton area is very rife with gangsterism and substance abuse. I've also got four informal settlements within the residential area that's growing by the day. 'My social workers have to go in there, look for the clients and deliver services to them. Big challenges from that area are that children, because of the substance abuse during pregnancy, are born with learning difficulties or disabilities. 'That can result in them dropping out of school by Grade 6, because you can only fail one grade per phase. Then they get pushed into the next phase, pushed into the next phase, and then at Grade 6, they're 15 years old, and cannot read and write. 'They drop out there onto the streets, begging, and that becomes something that falls on the social workers' lap, because they are indulging in petty crime, criminal activity. 'That's a big challenge for us, in keeping children in school and having enough facilities...' Sewpaul added that they have a wide range of other issues that they encounter, and oftentimes, it's the lack of resources. 'I'm very excited about this idea and initiative. The reality is that, as a child protection sector, going out and fundraising is very difficult. Back in the day, people would make pancakes and sell them - we don't have the time to do that."
Eyewitness News
08-06-2025
- Health
- Eyewitness News
WC social development launches fund to help social service organisations struggling with crippling budget cuts
CAPE TOWN - The Western Cape's social development department has launched the Cape Care Fund to assist social service organisations struggling with crippling budget cuts. The fund, created in partnership with The Health Foundation of South Africa, aims to raise funds to support the work of NGOs with a proven track record of quality service delivery in the province. ALSO READ: Over the past three financial years, many social service organisations have been struggling with financing, resulting in some closing their doors. Speaking on the fund, which was officially launched on Friday, Social Development MEC Jaco Londt said strengthening support to these organisations has always been a priority for him. "Through the Cape Care Fund, we are hopeful to take NPOs and NGOs from surviving to thriving for the benefit of our most vulnerable residents. I encourage businesses and residents that want to help create positive change by uplifting communities and individuals to support this project.'
