Child Saftey

Despite efforts to achieve a multi-disciplinary, inter-sectorial approach to the criminal justice process, very few rapists are charged due to lack of forensic evidence presented in court (e.g. dockets go missing, reports are poorly written, police go on leave, caregivers are not informed of legal process). Operation Bobbi Bear seeks to promote a structure to enable communities to monitor, intervene and assist the criminal justice process to assert the best interests of child victim of sexual abuse, from point-of-rescue to court hearing (minimum 2 years). Using therapeutic methods to obtain forensic evidence, the Child Safety Officer (CSO) collaborates with the criminal justice system to ensure the rights of child victim of sexual abuse. The Child Safety Officer (CSO) is trained in Pre- and Post Test HIV/AIDS counselling to assess risk of child at point-of-rescue, and assists and is accountable to child throughout legal process. Our vision is to see two Child Safety Officers in every community of South Africa, trained and equipped “to rescue, represent and reintegrate sexually-abuse children, to minimise risk of HIV/AIDS and to help them towards wholeness.”

BobbiBear Vision

“Two Child Safety Officers in every community in South Africa, trained and equipped to intervene and assist the criminal justice system to assert the best interests of the child victim of sexual abuse, from point-of-rescue to court hearing and support after court case.”

Child Saftey Officer Profile

Rescue

Police(CPU), social worker, school teacher, parent or family member contacts Child Safety Officer for assistance in crisis-intervention of child victim of sexual abuse
To Police stations, courts and crisis centres, CSO carries with rape bags to give to child while she waits (draw-string bag with: brown paper bag for soiled panties/underpants for DNA test; new pair of panties/underpants; notebook, pencil, pen and crayons for art therapy, which can be used for evidence; permanent marker and plasters to demonstrate on Bear; 2 sanitary pads for bleeding; tissues for tears; wet-wipes for after the medical examination; soft-drink, chocolate or cookies for refreshment and enjoyment)
Child Safety Officer de-traumatises child while cuddle mummy (volunteer trained in HIV/AIDS, empathy and de-briefing) de-traumatises mother, explaining process and building confidentiality and trust. Referrals are made where necessary.
Using Bobbi Bear, Child Safety Officer brings HIV/AIDS risk assessment. If necessary, the anti-retroviral drug is acquired and administered by appropriate medico-legal official (within max. 72 hours). All Bobbi Bear’s are registered (numbered) for documentation purposes. All evidence gathered (Bear, drawings) are witnessed, dated and signed by CPU and mother. A second Cuddle Bear is given to child for comfort.
Child Safety Officer assists police to obtain statement. Child Safety Officer ensures that no secondary abuse takes place.
Child Safety Officer accompanies CPU and child to hospital, explains and demonstrates age-appropriately procedure of District Surgeon (and content of crime kit) and comforts while waiting.
Child Safety Officer records custody of forensic evidence (Kit and J88).
If at risk (domestic violence/ intimidation), emergency foster care is sought for mother and/or child, and if available, transport provided. Social Worker intervention is sought.
Child Safety Officer liases with CPU to assess whether perpetrator has been charged within 24 hours of first report by victim to official authorities.
If child is subject to intimidation, Child Safety Officer approaches relevant official and legal agencies, and in the case of rural communities, the chief and indunas for protection of child.

Represent

Child Safety Officer ensures child victim is informed of all legal processes and follows up on behalf of child when necessary
Resilience-Building of child: Taught and counselled to avoid further sexual abuse and to fend for his-/herself
Pre-Trial Counselling: Child Safety Officer accompanies child to first interview with specialist and intermediatory. “Moot-Court” to prepare child for court, to build confidence of child in criminal justice system and to eliminate fear of authorities.
Child Safety Officer accompanies child to court, seeks to ensure that the best interests of child are held paramount, and to ensure the personal safety of child. Comforts e.g. court-bags (sweets, biscuits, cold-drink, crayons, notepad, plaster, tissues) and counselling are provided.

Reintegrate

Post-Trial Debriefing and relevant on-going counselling for mother and child
Maintain contact with mother and child (reassurance and support) and seek integration into local church

Child Saftey Officer Training & Mentorship Programme

To equip persons to intervene in cases of child abuse and HIV/AIDS risk of sexual abuse in the community, and to train, equip and employ Child Safety Officers.
Content of Child Safety Officer Training Programme:

Introduction

Attitudes, Self-Awareness and Problem-Solving

Child Sexual Abuse

Prevention and Early Detection of Child Abuse

Interdisciplinary Approach to Child Abuse

Risk Assessment of HIV/AIDS

Interviewing Child Victim of Sexual Abuse

Medical Examination

Social Welfare

Criminal Justice System

On-going Support

Evaluation

# Criteria for Registration for Training

4-day HIV/AIDS Introductory Course

Basic Counselling Course

Interview and Selection Test

Child Safety Officer Diploma

Child Safety Officer Training Programme (10 days)

First Practical Application (3 month) – One-on-One Mentorship Programme

Evaluation/ Problem Analysis Workshop (1 day)

Need-Based Training (10 days)

Second Practical Application (3 month) – Weekly Mentorship Programme

Test/ Diploma

CSO Training Programme 2: Every 4 months, a new CSO Training Programme commences. In total, within a year, we train 48 persons, of which those selected and successfully completing their Diploma (SETA), are recognised as qualified Child Safety Officers.