Across a number of pieces of existing and draft legislation, there are various provisions around mandatory reporting of various forms of child abuse. This is confusing for those who work in the field of child protection, as well as for civil Society.

These vary according to: 

• who must report;
• what must be reported;
• who they must report to; and
• protection for reporters in good faith.

The various provisions (passed and proposed) are to be found in:

• The Children’s Care Act no 74 of 1983
• The Children’s Act Amendment Bill
• The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Bill
• The Films and Publications Amendment Act
• The Domestic Violence Act

Download the  Mandatory Reporting Outline 26.84 Kb