Materials and Resources
Welcome to the RAPCAN website!
RAPCAN (Resources Aimed at the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect) works to promote the rights and protection of children in South Africa and the region.
RAPCAN delivers direct services to children and families, aimed at promoting the rights and protection of children. We also undertake training and develop resource materials with a view to strengthening the quality of work undertaken by others in relation to children and families. Our advocacy work is aimed at ensuring that legislation, policy and practice are consonant with the international children’s rights framework.
NEWS... World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse - 19 November
Alerting governments and civil society organizations to play a more active role in the promotion of and respect for the rights of the child (article 19 and 34 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child), and contribute to the prevention of child abuse, Women's World Summit Foundation (WWSF) launched in 2000 the World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse, to be commemorated annually on 19 November in synergy with the anniversary of the International Day for the Rights of the Child (20 November) which has as its objective to be a rallying point around the issue of child abuse and the need for urgent effective prevention programmes.
NEWS... Court declares Discretion to apply Protective Measures for Child Victims Unconstitutional (20 May 2008)
In an important decision relating to child victims giving testimony in court in relation to sexual offences, Judge Bertelsmann of the Pretoria High Court declared last week that the legal provisions that allowed courts the discretion to apply protective measures for child victims was unconstitutional. The Court held that the discretionary nature of these provisions and the tests for undue mental suffering and harm were not in the best interests of the child under these circumstances. The Court stated that measures to protect child victims must be used in all cases where a witness is under the age of 18 unless there are strong reasons not to do so. RAPCAN intervened in the matter as amicus curiae and was represented by the Legal Resources Centre.
NEWS... Child Justice Bill in Parliament (31 March 2008)
The Child Justice Bill seeks to create a separate criminal justice process for responding to children that come into conflict with the law. The Bill was reintroduced to Parliament in December 2007 after a 4-year hiatus. RAPCAN is a member of the Driver Group of the Child Justice Alliance, and collaborated with partners to advocate for provisions in the Bill that are consonant with the Constitution and South Africa's international obligations. RAPCAN also specifically campaigned for a Bill that promotes crime prevention and that responds effectively to sexual offences committed by children. Public hearings were held on 5 and 6 February 2008 and the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development will continue with its deliberations on the Bill in May and June.