Help create a

Rainbow

for a child whose life has been
torn apart by crime

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Difference

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Teaching kids

how to be safer

KIDS' SAFETY TIPS

Living with crime and violence

f you or your loved ones have ever been robbed, shot, threatened at knife-point, hi-jacked, assaulted, or attacked in your own home, you’ll know how terrifying it is.

So you can imagine how traumatic it is for children who survive a violent attack. Like the 4 year old girl from Verulam, near Durban, who was recently kidnapped, raped and strangled.

Against all odds, the little girl survived. Her cries alerted passers-by on their way to work, and she was rushed to hospital. But at 4 years old – innocent and trusting as young children are – and living in an under-resourced community, how will she ever get over the terrible things that were done to her? Her physical injuries may heal, but how will she ever feel safe and able to trust again?

It’s children like this that we help – by providing support, trauma counselling, therapy, fun activities, life skills development and personal safety awareness.

But with crimes against children on the increase, we simply can’t reach all those whose lives have been shattered without your help.

Please make a donation now towards our work … host a fundraising event in support of our organisation … or introduce payroll giving at your company, with Child Survivors of Crime as the beneficiary.

Any amount you give now will help bring a rainbow of hope and trust to a child who desperately needs to believe there are good people like you in the world.

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What we do

We create a rainbow after the storm for children affected by crime. Support is individually tailored to the specific needs of each child, because each one’s circumstances are unique; what may make a meaningful difference to one child may not help another. Generally, support will fall into one or more of the categories below.

Survivor Nominator

The process is set in motion by a Survivor Nominator (typically the SAP Investigating Officer or a Child Welfare social worker) who is close to the child, understands their pain and suffering and is able to suggest the most effective way of bringing a little happiness and normality back into their lives.

Psychological Assistance

The psychological impact of surviving violent crime is high and most children require on-going counselling or therapy to help them overcome feelings of fear, anxiety, anger or worthlessness.

Material Assistance

Some crimes result in the loss of material possessions essential to the child’s wellbeing or education. CSOC endeavours to replace necessary items.

Safety Awareness

Child Survivors of Crime not only supports children affected by crime, but also strives to prevent dangerous situations by raising children’s awareness of how to be safe. This is done through age-appropriate leaflets containing safety tips, as well as talks in schools.

Education

Schooling may be affected while the child recovers physically and psychologically. CSOC provides assistance to get education back on track, in the form of remedial lessons, bursaries and/or tutors.

Peer Support

Children may be given the opportunity to attend an education-based camp where they learn life skills and coping mechanisms in an enjoyable environment, coupled with support from their peers. Alternatives include suitable workshops or motivational sessions.

Fun day out

Children may be treated to a visit to the zoo or cinema, a special meal out, a day at a theme park with their hero, etc. The purpose of these outings is to allow the child to just be a child, and to show that the community cares.

What we don’t provide

The only thing we don’t provide is cash. Support is through education and therapeutic intervention, encouragement of social inclusion and community re-integration, alleviation of physical suffering, and raising awareness of personal safety.

Kids’ safety tips

Help keep children safe by sharing these personal safety tips with them.

Never accept sweets or money from a stranger.
If you walk to school, go with a group of friends if possible, especially if you have to walk along a lonely path or road surrounded by bush.
Don’t talk to strangers, even if they know your name. It’s ok to just ignore them and not look at them. Keep walking, or run away if you feel scared.
Keep the gate and doors locked if you are home alone.
If someone you don’t know phones when you are home alone, don’t tell them that your parents aren’t at home. Instead, say that they can’t come to phone right now and offer to take a message.
Don’t open the door to anyone unless you know who it is and that it is OK for them to be there. Criminals may pretend to be repairmen, meter readers or other officials to trick you into letting them into your home.

If an adult stops you to ask for help or directions, tell them to ask another adult. Never get into a stranger’s car to show them the way.
Never go anywhere with someone you don’t know or don’t trust. Stay well away from stranger’s cars.
Say “NO” if anyone (including an adult relative) touches you or talks to you in a way that makes you feel scared, uncomfortable or confused. Tell your parents.
If you are not allowed to go to certain places, obey the rules. Your parents are not trying to spoil your fun; they want to keep you safe.
Make sure your parent or carer knows where you are going, when you will be back and how to reach you.
Be careful not to give out personal information about yourself online – your address, phone number or the name of your school.

About us

Child Surviviors of Crime (CSOC) provides support for children under the age of 18 who have been directly or indirectly affected by any criminal offence committed against them or their families. Support is in the form of counselling and therapeutic intervention, education, alleviation of physical suffering and community re-integration. We also strive to raise children’s awareness of personal safety.

Child Survivors of Crime gives these children a rainbow after the storm. By making their lives a little easier and giving much needed support, we equip them with the tools they need to cope with the challenges ahead. Our support network helps strengthen families that have been shattered by crime, and bolsters the relationship between the South African Police Services (SAPS) and crime survivors.

It started in early 2010, when the idea and principles of the UK registered charity, Child Victims of Crime, inspired a group of business people to investigate the need for, and possibility of, establishing a similar charity in South Africa.

It was soon apparent that with the high incidence of violent crime in our country, South African children often find their childhoods destroyed. Struggling with the devastating after-effects of crimes committed against them or against their families, these young survivors face challenging new realities and a precarious future.

Our credentials

Child Survivors of Crime South Africa (CSOC) is a registered non-profit organisation and Public Beneficiary Organisation, founded in 2010. Its purpose is to support children whose lives have been affected by crime.

Registration Number: 2010/002420/08
Registered as an Association incorporated under Section 21 of the Companies Act (Act 61 of 1973)
Registered as a Public Benefit Organisation with SARS PBO number 9030034398.
Registered as a Non Profit Organisation with the Department of Social Development NPO number 082-562

Board of Directors

Charles Robert Van Staden

B.Comm (Law), LL.B, LL.M

Chairman

Charles van Staden is the Chairman of Child Survivors of Crime NPC.

Charles is currently a consutant of the firm of Attorneys, Lawton’s Africa (South Africa). Prior to his retirement in April 2003, after 27 years with the Exchange Control Department of the South African Reserve Bank, Charles was the Deputy General Manager of the Exchange Control Department. Since March 1977, Charles was intimately involved in the application of Exchange Control policy within the policy parameters laid down by the Minister of Finance, the adjudication of applications, the investigation of contraventions of the provisions of the Exchange Control Regulations as well as giving expert evidence in the resultant court cases.

Charles is a Life Member of the Institute of Bankers in South Africa as well as an Audit Committee Member and past President of the Convocation of the University of Johannesburg. Charles is a Member of the Committee of the Pretoria Club Section of the Pretoria Country Club.

T +27 11 775 6359
F +27 11 286 6901
charles.vanstaden@lawtonsafrica.com

Malala Kgwanyapa Paul Ndlazi

Deputy Chairman

Malala is one of the founding members of CSOC.

He is a highly driven individual who heads up the sales division in Assupol KwaZulu-Natal region. He has extensive leadership experience in operations, stakeholder management, and change management.

Prior to working in sales, he worked as a Talent Manager at Assupol Life. Malala’s passion includes developing people in the areas of emotional intelligence training in order to help them reach new levels of personal and professional excellence.

Francois Pellatt Marais

Adv. Sec M (Unisa)/FIS (SA)

Director

Francois Marais is an Executive Director and founding member of Child Survivors of Crime NPC.

He is a Fellow, member and former Chairman of the Board of Governors of the South African Institute of Security (SAIS), where he currently chairs the Ethics Committee. He is a former National President of the Security Association of South Africa (SASA) and was awarded Honorary Life Membership of SASA following his term of office.

Francois has a specific interest in Criminal law and all related Police law including the Criminal Procedure Act and Domestic Violence Act. Recreationally, Francois is a Magician, Illusionist, Fire-Eater and Public Speaker – specialising in the Emcee, Compere and Event Continuity fields.

He is the co-founder and Chief Executive of Ghost Squad, a leading proactive Security Service Provider based in Johannesburg.

Prior to his current role, he was a Vice President at J.P.Morgan Chase Bank.

C +27 (0) 83 452 2020
francois@childsurvivors.org.za

In Memoriam

Gert Andries Francois (Gaf) van Niekerk

01/05/1946 – 08/05/2017

Gaf was one of our Founding Directors who sadly passed away on 8 May 2017 after a long illness. Child Survivors of Crime salutes and thanks Gaf for the valuable and lasting contribution he made to our Charity – he will always be remembered.

Our Partners

Child Survivors of Crime acknowledges the valuable role played by our partners, sponsors and donors. Without your support, our work could not continue