Indicators For Monitoring Child Abuse And Neglect

Indicators for monitoring child abuse
and neglect
Core indicators
Policy goal Indicator and Definition, measure, period and data source
reason for use
Reduce the Type 1 Indicator: Definition & Measure: Proportion of children in
number of Child Status households experiencing the following:
children living in Child poverty • Living in a household that has a household equivalent
poverty. Reason for use: Child income below R10 189 per annum (2006 value);
poverty is associated • Living in a household without a refrigerator;
with the widest range • Living in a household with neither a TV nor a radio.
of insults to child Sources: Census and other household surveys (Statistics
survival, health and South Africa); provincial poverty data.
Free download from www.hsrcpress.ac.za

development. Period: Every 10 years
Appropriate for Notes: This measure is used in the Provincial Indices of
national and Multiple Deprivation (PIMD) developed by Noble, Babita
international et al. (2006). See Chapter 3 in this volume.1
reporting: State of A PIMD for children (PIMDC) will be available once this
the World’s Children; volume is published and should be seriously considered
Millennium for these purposes as it will permit description of areas
Development Goals. below provincial level and will take into account a range of
deprivations experienced by children in poverty.
Protect children Type 1 & 3 Definition: Violent crimes to children as defined in the
from all forms of Indicators: Child Common Law and other Statutes: murder, common
violence, abuse and Status and assault, assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm and
neglect, and make Neighbourhood & ill-treatment of a child reported to the South African
neighbourhoods Surrounding Police Services (SAPS).
safe for children. Environment Stratify by gender and age (0–17; 0–12; 13–17).
Children’s Measures: The proportion of children in each province
vulnerability to and in each SAPS zone and precinct who are victims of all
violent crime. violent crime (treated per crime category and as a total
Neighbourhood score based on the sum across all crime categories) per
vulnerability of year.
children. Source: SAPS
Reason for use: Period: Annual
Identify areas in Note: Age and gender disaggregation is not available in
which the risk is annual SAPS reports or website statistics. These statistics
high. should be provided by the provincial commissioner on a
To monitor children’s routine basis each year to aid service planning in the
exposure to violent province and the districts.
crime and monitor
children’s rights to
safety and protection. ➔

core indicators for monitoring child abuse and neglect • 469

reason for use
➔ Type 1 & 3 Definitions: 1. Kidnapping: Use the SAPS definition in
Indicators: Child terms of the relevant Statutes; only count children
Status and (adults may also be kidnapped).
Neighbourhood & 2. Abduction: Use the SAPS definition in terms of the
Surrounding relevant statutes (only children may be classified as
Environment having been abducted in terms of the law).
Abducted, kidnapped 3. Missing children: Reports of missing children to each
and missing children. SAPS precinct who are not recovered within 48 hours
Neighbourhood and for whom a case of kidnapping or abduction has
vulnerability of not been opened.
children. Stratify all by gender and age.
Reason for use: To Measure: The proportion of children who are victims of
monitor areas to abduction and kidnapping in each province and in each
establish the risk of SAPS zone and precinct per year.
kidnapping and Source: SAPS
abduction of children Period: Annual

(and also missing Note: Age and gender disaggregation is not available in
children). annual SAPS reports or website statistics. These statistics
To monitor children’s should be provided by the provincial commissioner on a
rights to safety and routine basis each year to aid service planning in the
protection. province and the districts.
Identify areas in
which the risk is
high.
Type 1 & 3 Indicators: Definition: Sexual crimes to children as defined in the
Child Status and Common Law and other statutes: indecent assault, rape,
Neighbourhood & ‘statutory rape’, attempted rape, exposure to pornography,
Surrounding and commercial sexual exploitation reported to the SAPS.
Environment Stratify by gender and age (0–17; 0–12; 13–17).
Children’s Measure: The proportion of children in each province and
vulnerability to in each SAPS zone and precinct who are victims of sexual
sexual crime. crimes (per sexual crime category and as a total score
Neighbourhood based on the sum across all sexual crime categories) per
vulnerability of year.
children. Source: SAPS
Reason for use: Period: Annual
Identify areas in Note: Age and gender disaggregation is not available in
which the risk is high. annual SAPS reports or website statistics. These statistics
To monitor children’s should be provided by the provincial commissioner on a
exposure to sexual routine basis each year to aid service planning in the
assault. province and the districts.
To monitor children’s
rights to safety and
protection.

470 • monitoring child well-being

reason for use
Make schools safe Type 1 Indicator: Definition: Acts of physical and sexual violence (including
for children. Child Status bullying) on a learner (by another learner or an educator)
Monitor the 1. Learner-on-learner while under the jurisdiction of the school.
incidence of violence and sexual All data to be stratified by gender and age (<13 years and
violence in schools. abuse. >13 years).
2. Educator-on- Note: These data are likely to be very coarse given
learner violence problems with reporting and variations in disciplinary
and sexual abuse. procedures across the country. Further, in the case of
Type 5 Indicator: educator-on-learner abuse, none of the data below are
Service Quality likely to be an accurate reflection of the situation.
Reasons for use: To Measure 1: The proportion of learners in each province
monitor children’s and in each Education Management Development Centre
exposure to violence district who are disciplined by their school for violence to
by other children at another learner in a reporting year.
school. To monitor Source: Provincial departments of education (DoEs)
children’s exposure to Period: Annual

violence by educators Measure 2: The proportion of learners in each province
at school. who report physical and sexual violence (including
To monitor children’s bullying) by a learner while under the jurisdiction of the
rights to safety and school using measures designed for the UN Study on
protection – bullying Violence to Children,2 or another reliable violence
is a form of abuse in exposure measure.
the Children’s Act. Source: Current sources are academic studies only; survey
Monitor needed.
implementation of Period: Every 5 years
the Schools Act (No. Measure 3: The proportion of learners in each province
56 of 1996). who call a Safe Schools call centre and allege physical and
sexual abuse and the unlawful administration of corporal
punishment in school.
Source: Safe Schools programmes in each province (DoE)
Period: Annual
Measure 4: Educators in each province disciplined for
assaults on learners.
Source: Labour Relations data (DoE)
Period: Annual
Measure 5: The proportion of learners in each province
who report physical and sexual abuse and the unlawful
administration of corporal punishment in a specific victim
survey using measures designed for the UN Study on
Violence to children (see endnote 2), or another reliable
violence exposure measure.
Source: Current sources are academic studies only.
Period: Surveys required every 5 years.


reason for use
Establish child Type 4 & 5 Definitions: The CPR is established in terms of the
protection Indicators: Service Regulations to the Child Care Act (No. 74 of 1983) and the
information Access and new Children’s Act to record data on incidents of child
systems in Service Quality abuse and neglect and to track children’s movement
compliance with Computerised Child through the services system.
policy. Protection Registers All the following conditions must be fulfilled within a time
(CPRs) are frame set by the department:
established and are • Reporters and districts use the same form to capture
functioning at district cases (as prescribed in the regulations), are trained in its
level in each use, and receive annual feedback from district offices on
province. how the data are used;
Reason for use: • Forms used by services and district staff include the
Provincial level CPR definitions of abuse and neglect categories listed in the
systems require CPR manual;
sound district level • Districts have the appropriate training, support,
CPR functioning and equipment and staff to enter CPR data;

data collection in • Raw data for the CPR are no longer sent to head office
terms of policy. for capture;
• Online system functions so that data captured at district
To monitor
level is available to head office;
compliance with the
• All district CPR systems must receive reports from
CPR manual and the
children’s courts, welfare services, SAPS and other
Children’s Act.
relevant sources to update the register on a regular basis;
• All cases, substantiated or otherwise, must be entered
(CPR manual must be followed);
• All cases that are not substantiated must be removed
(Parts A & B);
• Data from service providers in the district are captured
regularly on the district CPR;
• Data from the district CPR are used for protective
services planning at district level;
• Districts have access to the CPR manual; cases are
recorded accurately in terms of the definitions of abuse
contained in the manual;
• Districts have dedicated data capture staff sufficient to
process forms within one week;
• Security arrangements for storage and data capture are
in place;
• All districts have the necessary Information Technology
(IT) in place (data lines of sufficient capacity for the task).
Measure: The proportion of districts in each province that
have a fully functional CPR in place in terms of the above
criteria.
Source: Provincial Departments of Social Development
(DoSDs) based on an audit of the CPR in each district.
Period: Immediately and then every 5 years to monitor
progress. ➔


reason for use
➔ Type 4 & 5 Indicators: Definitions: The CPR is established in terms to record
Service Access and data on incidents of child abuse and neglect and to track
Service Quality children’s movement through the services system.
Computerised CPRs All the following conditions must be fulfilled within a time
are established at frame set by the department:
provincial level. • Each provincial CPR has the appropriate equipment and
Reason for use: Each staff to generate reports from the CPR and alter
province requires the contents where necessary;
CPR for service • Staff have the appropriate security clearance to generate
planning and for reports;
reporting to national • Each provincial CPR has the appropriate equipment and
level. staff to generate reports for each district on an annual
Part B of the register basis and to generate information on an ad hoc basis for
is required for provincial and national government;
checking childcare • Each provincial CPR is used for service planning and
personnel against budgetary allocations at provincial and district level for

perpetrator child protective services;
information. • Until district offices are functional, the provincial head
To monitor office has sufficient staff to capture forms within one
compliance with week of receipt;
regulations and the • All security arrangements contained in the CPR manual,
Children’s Act. including secure storage space and private space for data
capturers, are in place at head office;
• All provincial offices have the necessary IT in place,
including data lines of sufficient capacity for the task;
• In each province, all head offices provide annual reports to
each district for purposes of service planning at district level.
Measure: The number of provinces that have a fully
functional CPR in place in terms of the above criteria.
Source: National DoSD based on an audit of the CPR in
each province.
progress.
Type 4 & 5 Definitions: The CPR is established in terms of the
Indicators: Service standard provincial protocol to record data on incidents of
Access and child abuse and neglect, and permits tracking of children
Service Quality across the country.
A computerised CPR Measure: The national CPR is established and receives
is established and data regularly (according to the protocol) from all
operational at provinces.
national level. Source: DoSD
Reason for use: To Period: Not applicable
monitor compliance
with the Children’s
Act.


reason for use
Ensure that all Type 5 Indicator: Definitions: PCPCs are required to be established in each
provinces have co- Service Quality province to provide plans for the investigation, prevention
ordinated child Provincial and and treatment of child abuse and neglect in terms of
protective services. district child policy. Further roles and responsibilities are defined in
Co-ordination of protection structures terms of national and provincial policy.
system resources is and staff are in place: LCPCs co-ordinate plans for the investigation, prevention
in accordance with • District child and treatment of child abuse and neglect at local level.
national and protection officers Further roles and responsibilities are defined in terms of
provincial policy are in place in national and provincial policy.
frameworks for every district and District child protection officers oversee local functions.
prevention of child have the necessary Further roles and responsibilities are defined in terms of
abuse, neglect and staff to fulfil their national and provincial policy.
exploitation. functions; Measures: All apply.
• Provincial, district 1. A provincial child protective services plan is in place.
and local child 2. The PCPC is established and meets at least quarterly
protection (attendance of each sector should be recorded).

committees in 3. District child protection committees are established in
place and every district and meet at least quarterly (attendance of
operational; each sector should be recorded).
• Provincial child 4. The number of districts with child protection officers
protection and the necessary support staff in posts to support local
committee (PCPC) committees, reporting functions in terms of the CPR, as
plans are in place; well as oversight of all district services (including 24-
• Local child hour services).
protection 5. The number of LCPCs established in each district that
committee (LCPC) meets as determined by the district child protection
plans are in place; officer.
• Local services are 6. The number of districts with child protective services
based on PCPC based on PCPC and LCPC plans.
and LCPC plans. Source: DoSD in each province
Reason for use: To Period: Immediately and then every 5 years to monitor
monitor the extent to progress.
which policy is
implemented and
whether child
protective services
are co-ordinated at
all levels of service
provision.


reason for use
Improve access to Type 4 Indicator: Definition: Each social services district in each province
child protective Service Access has standardised 24-hour child protective services
services. Access to a 24-hour available within one hour’s travel from the child’s place of
child protection residence (this principle draws on the ‘golden hour’
service. principle for medical emergency services).
Reason for use: Measure: The proportion of DoSD districts that have a 24-
To monitor the hour service situated so that all children in the province
implementation of would be able to access the service within one hour’s travel
child protection time (the measure would be based on the road matrix of
policy. the district).
Rapid services access Sources: Provincial DoSDs; district offices.
is a requirement of Period: Immediately and then every 5 years to monitor
child protection progress.
policy and necessary
if the child is to
receive attention as

soon as possible after
the incident.
Type 4 Indicator: Definitions: The FCS is a specialised SAPS unit that,
Service Access among other duties, investigates reports of sexual and
1. Family Violence, other violent crimes to children and prepares matters for
Child Protection criminal prosecution. Staffing should comply with
and Sexual departmental caseload norms for this service of less than
Offences Units 51 cases per officer (see below).
(FCSs) are Measures: 1. The number of FCS units established in high-
established in areas risk areas for violent crime to and abuse and neglect of
identified as high children, as identified by the provincial and district child
risk for violence to protection committees in collaboration with SAPS (on
women and the basis of FCS data) and the Department of Social
children. Services and Poverty Alleviation (on the basis of
2. The units comply Department of Justice [DoJ] children’s court inquiry
with recommended data) – for each DoSD district.
caseload norms. 2. The number of FCS units that have staffing levels that
Reason for use: To be meet the caseload norm.
able to respond to Sources: SAPS; DoJ; DoSD in each province.
areas of greatest need Note: This practice does not currently exist and could be
and investigate cases the responsibility of the PCPCs to implement.
effectively. Period: Immediately and then every 5 years to monitor
To monitor the progress.
implementation of
child protection
policy, and relevant
legislation (e.g. the
Children’s Act).
➔


reason for use
➔ Type 5 Indicator: Definitions: Norms for social workers working on child
Service Quality abuse and neglect cases are not set. A recommended norm
1. Social worker is 1:20 for acute cases of abuse (recommended in the draft
caseloads for child national policy framework for child abuse and neglect
abuse and neglect [DoSD, 2004a]).
are within the Norms for FCS officer caseloads are not currently
norm. established. A recommended norm is: 1 officer to 50 cases
2. FCS officer (including current investigations and matters before the
caseloads are court – based on consultations with FCS staff).
within the norm. Measures: 1. Norms are established for social worker and
3. Precincts are FCS officer caseloads in each province.
equipped to deal 2. The proportion of district level social workers in each
with child abuse at province with a caseload of less than 21 acute cases of
all times. child abuse and/or neglect at any one time.
Reasons for use: To 3. The proportion of FCS officers in each province who
monitor resourcing have a caseload of less than 51 at any one time.

on key services for 4. The proportion of precincts in each province that have
child protective at least 1 officer trained to deal with child abuse and
services. neglect on duty (or on call) at all times.
To prevent further Sources: DoSD in each province; SAPS.
traumatisation of Note: These data need to be collected annually by the
abused children. relevant department as a normal administrative function.
Period: Annual


reason for use
Ensure access to Type 4 Indicator: Definitions: Sexually abused children who have been
therapeutic Service Access raped and who have received Post-Exposure Prophylaxis
services for Access to therapeutic (PEP) to prevent HIV transmission.
physically and services for abused Physically and sexually abused children who are referred
sexually abused children. for psychological therapy (counselling by a social worker,
children. Reason for use: To psychologist or psychiatrist) and medical intervention.
monitor access to Measures: 1. The number of children in each province
therapeutic services who presented at a rape survivor centre as a result of
for abused children. sexual assault, in a health department reporting period.
2. The proportion of sexually assaulted children in each
province who presented at a rape survivor centre as a
result of sexual assault, and who received PEP, in a health
department reporting period.
3. The number of children who present at specialist
tertiary trauma units in each province as a result of
physical and sexual abuse in a health department

reporting period.
4. The number of children who present at specialist
tertiary trauma units in each province as a result of
physical and sexual abuse and who are referred for social
services and/or psychological therapy in a health
department reporting period.
Sources: Primary and secondary facility data: Department
of Health (DoH) (based on data from the clinical forensic
surgeons at rape survivor centres).
Notes: Currently, these data are only stratified by children
<14 years, and all other patients. This stratification should
be altered by the DoH so that all cases <18 can be
counted.
Tertiary data: trauma unit data at tertiary hospitals
This data is only available on request from the relevant
facility. It should be routinely incorporated in the
proposed child protection information unit.
The CPR
The CPR has the capacity to generate relevant medical,
social and psychological
services information. Each provincial CPR should be
assessed to establish whether or not the system is
functioning as it should.
Child abuse and neglect service quality audits could be
conducted for a child abuse and neglect incidence study.
Period: All annual


reason for use
Roll out effective Type 4 & 5 Definition: A separate children’s waiting area should be
child-friendly Indicators: Service available for child witnesses at Sexual Offences Courts, and
courts in the DoJ Access and Service other criminal courts where children are required to give
as provided for in Quality evidence in cases where they are the complainant.
various Acts, the Child-friendly courts Anatomical dolls should be available for child witnesses at
Children’s Act and in place Sexual Offences Courts. Closed-circuit television or other
regulations. Reason for use: appropriate facilities should be available for child
Availability of these witnesses at all courts where children are required to give
services is likely to evidence. Intermediary services for child witnesses should
improve the quality be available at all courts. Facilities for disabled children
of child testimony, should be available at all courts.
reduce the trauma The DoJ Policy on Court Services for Children specifies
of court appearance, the services that should be provided, as does the Children’s
and improve the Act. The Criminal Procedures Act makes provision for
conviction rate. intermediary and other services at the presiding officer’s
To comply with discretion.

Section 42 of the The criterion is fulfilled if measures 1, 4 and 5 are met
Children’s Act, which immediately. Other conditions should be progressively met
provides guidelines over a specified period (recommended – 5 years).
for hearings Measures: 1. Proportion of courts in each province with
involving children. properly equipped waiting areas for child witnesses.
2. Proportion of courts in each province with facilities for
the disabled child witness.
3. Proportion of Sexual Offences Courts in each province
with anatomical dolls available for child abuse cases.
4. Proportion of courts in each province with closed-
circuit television or other equally appropriate facilities.
5. Proportion of courts in each province with
intermediaries.
Source: DoJ
progress.


reason for use
Monitor the Type 1 & 3 Indicators: Definitions: CSA has two basic elements that must be
incidence of abuse Child Status and present to make the classification:
and neglect. Neighbourhood & • Sexual activity involving a child;
Surrounding • Abusive conditions: the child’s partner has a large age or
Environment maturational advantage over her/him; or is in a position
Child Sexual Abuse of authority or is in a caretaking relationship with the
(CSA) incidence child; or the activities are carried out against the child
Household and area using force or deception.
risks for sexual abuse. Household and area risks would be obtained by
Reason for use: To stratifications of the data to determine whether or not the
monitor children’s abuse occurred in the household or not and in which
exposure to sexual social services district it occurred (based on the CPR).
abuse and to monitor Two types of CSA should be monitored:
children’s rights to Contact abuse: penetration, including penile, digital and
safety, protection and object penetration of the vagina, mouth or anus, and non-
social security. penetration, including fondling of sexual organs, sexual

Identify areas in kissing, or the child touching sexual parts of a partner’s
which sexual abuse is body.
prevalent. Non-contact abuse: exhibitionism, voyeurism, exposure to
To monitor the pornography, verbal sexual propositions.
implementation of All data to be stratified by gender and age (0–17; 0–12;
child protection 13–17).
policy. Measures: 1. The proportion of children in each province
Basic requirement of and in each DoSD district reported to the CPR as
a CSA surveillance having been sexually abused in a specific year (no
system to monitor duplicate children). Disaggregate by contact and non-
children’s right to contact abuse types and by gender. Report per 100 000
safety and protection of the population within each age stratification.
from abuse. 2. The proportion of children in each province and in each
DoSD district reported to the CPR and substantiated as
having been sexually abused in a specific year (no
duplicate children). Disaggregate by contact and non-
contact abuse types and by gender. Report per 100 000
of the population within each age stratification.
3. Proportions of children abused in selected localities
(including the home and the suburb).
Area risks would be obtained by stratifications of the data
to determine whether or not the abuse occurred in the
household or not and in which social services district it
occurred (based on the CPR).
Source: The CPR (if operational)
Note: As the CPR system is not rolled out and functioning
in most areas, a child abuse and neglect incidence study is
urgently required for baseline data.
Period: Annual if the CPR is used; every 10 years if a
surveillance study is used. ➔


reason for use
➔ 4. Number of children found in need of care due to sexual
abuse: record of commissioner’s findings at children’s
court inquiries.
Source: DoJ records for each children’s court in each
province.
Period: Annual
5. Number of children reported to all FCS units in each
province for investigation of CSA stratified by SAPS area
(each of the 13 FCS units submits weekly and monthly
statistics to its area office).
Source: SAPS
Period: Annual
Note: The anti-rape strategy form can provide statistics
on the number of rape cases reported at identified police
stations and the number of rape victims referred to the
victim support programme; the number of cases referred

to court; the number of offenders arrested; and the
conviction rate. However, a serious limitation is that none
of this information is disaggregated by age and gender. It
is therefore not possible to use these data to obtain figures
on children unless the system is altered. However, victim
empowerment programme statistics, submitted monthly
to the provincial social crime office, are disaggregated by
age and gender.
Age and gender disaggregation is not available in annual
SAPS reports or website statistics. The provincial
commissioner should provide these data on a routine basis
each year to aid service planning in provinces and the
districts. ➔


reason for use
➔ Type 1 & 3 Definition: CPA inflicted on a child by a person who is in
Indicators: Child a position of responsibility, trust or power in relation to
Status and the child (DoSD, 2004), and reported to the CPR (or based
Neighbourhood & on data collected in an incidence study).
Surrounding All data to be stratified by gender and age (0–17; 0–12;
Environment 13–17).
Child Physical Abuse Household and area risks would be obtained by
(CPA) incidence. stratifications of the data to determine whether or not the
Household and area abuse occurred in the household or not and in which
risks for physical social services district it occurred (based on the CPR).
abuse. Measures: 1. Proportion of children in each province and
Reason for use: To in each district reported to the CPR as having been
monitor children’s physically abused in a specific year (no duplicate
exposure to physical children). Report per 100 000 of the population within
abuse and to monitor each age stratification.
children’s rights to 2. Proportions of children abused in selected localities

safety, protection and (including the home and the suburb).
social security. Source: The CPR (if operational)
Identify areas in Note: As the CPR system is not rolled out and functioning
which physical abuse in most areas, a child abuse and neglect incidence study is
is prevalent. urgently required for baseline data.
To monitor the Period: Annual if the CPR is used; every 10 years if a
implementation of surveillance study is used.
child protection 3. Number of children found in need of care due to
policy. physical abuse: record of commissioner’s findings at
Identify areas in children’s court inquiries.
which abuse and Source: DoJ records for each children’s court in the
neglect is prevalent province
for planning Period: Annual
purposes. 4. Number of children reported to all FCS units in the
province for investigation of CPA stratified by SAPS area
(each of the 13 FCS units submits weekly and monthly
statistics to its area office).
Source: SAPS
Period: Annual
Note: Age and gender disaggregation is not available in
annual SAPS reports or website statistics. The Department
of Social Services and Poverty Alleviation should request
that these statistics be provided by the provincial
commissioner on a routine basis each year to aid service
planning in the province and the districts. ➔


reason for use
➔ Type 1 & 3 Definitions: 1. Non-circumstantial neglect of a child occurs
Indicators: Child when those responsible for the child fail to meet his/her
Status and essential needs despite having the means to do so (DoSD,
Neighbourhood & 2004a). Household and area risks would be obtained by
Surrounding stratifications of the data to determine whether or not the
Environment abuse occurred in the household and in which social
1. Non- services district it occurred (based on the CPR).
circumstantial All data to be stratified by gender and age (0–17; 0–12;
child neglect 13–17 (with the exception of abandonment).
incidence. 2. Abandonment is the unlawful and intentional exposure
2. Child and abandonment of an infant in a place or in such
abandonment. circumstances that death from exposure is likely to result
3. Household and (DoSD, 2004a).
area risks for Measures: 1. Proportion of children substantiated as having
neglect. been neglected in the above manner in a specific year
Reason for use: To (no duplicate children) as recorded on the CPR (if

monitor children’s operational).
exposure to neglect 2. Number of children under the age of 3 years to have been
and to monitor abandoned in a specific year, based on the record of
children’s rights to commissioner’s findings at children’s court inquiries.
safety, protection and Source: DoJ (for each children’s court in the province)
social security. 3. Proportions of children abused in selected localities
Identify areas in (including the home and the suburb).
which abuse and Sources: CPR (not possible at this stage); DoJ (for each
neglect is prevalent children’s court in each province).
for planning Period: Annual for all types
purposes. Notes: As the CPR system is not rolled out and functioning
in most areas at this time, the children’s court data is advised.
A national child abuse and neglect incidence study is urgently
required for baseline data. ➔


reason for use
Type 1 & 3 Definition: A children’s court inquiry is held before a
Indicators: Child children’s commissioner to determine whether or not an
Status and order of court is to be made to protect the child from
Neighbourhood abuse and neglect.
& Surrounding Measures: 1. Number of children’s court inquiries per
Environment magisterial district in a reporting year.
Children referred 2. Number of children’s court inquiries in each DoJ
to a children’s court district and plotted against the DoSD district in which
inquiry. the court is located. This is a proxy measure of the level
Children referred of risk of all forms of abuse in the DoSD district.
to a children’s court Source: DoJ (for each children’s court in each province)
inquiry in each social Period: Annual
services district.
Reason for use:
Identify areas in
which abuse and

neglect are prevalent.
Notes:
1 See also <http://www.statssa.gov.za/census01/html/C2001Deprivation.asp>.
2 UN Study on Violence to Children, <www.crin.org>.


Additional indicators
reason for use
Protect children Type 1 Indicator: Definition: A child perpetrator of CSA is <18 years of age
from all forms of Child Status and commits a sexual act with a child: i) against the child’s
violence, abuse and Sexual abuse will, ii) without the child’s true consent, or iii) in an
neglect. perpetrated by aggressive, exploitive, or threatening manner.
children. Abusive conditions exist when the perpetrator is at least
Reason for use: To 3 years older than the victim; the victim is pre-pubertal
assess the extent to and the perpetrator is sexually mature.
which children are Measures: 1. The proportion of CSA perpetrators <18
responsible for years of age on the CPR for each province.
perpetration of CSA. 2. The proportion of CSA perpetrators <18 years of age on
the CPR where the case has been substantiated (no
duplicate children) for each province.
Source: CPR
3. Proportion of sexual offenders who are <18 years

(diverted and convicted) in each province.
Source: DoJ
Period: Annual for all
Note: As the CPR system is not rolled out and functioning
in most areas, a national child abuse and neglect incidence
study is urgently required for baseline data.
Ensure access to Type 4 Indicator: Definition: Abused children who receive medical and
therapeutic Service Access psychological services.
services for Access to therapeutic Measure: The proportion of abused children who are both
sexually and services for abused reported to child protection services and who receive a
physically abused children. therapeutic service in each province.
children. Reason for use: To Source: To be developed for specific child abuse and
monitor access to neglect services quality audits; could be assessed in a
therapeutic services national child abuse and neglect incidence study.
for children in need. Period: Every 10 years
Ensure access to Type 4 Indicator: Definition: Abused children who receive PEP.
HIV/AIDS Service Access Measure: The proportion of children in each province
prophylaxis for Extent of access to who have been raped and reported to child protection
sexually abused PEP for sexually services and who receive PEP.
children. abused children. Source: DoH (based on data from the clinical forensic
Reason for use: To surgeons at rape survivor centres).
monitor the child’s Period: Annual
right to access to
PEP.


reason for use
Goals for court Type 5 Indicator: Definition: Finalisation refers to the closure of the case
case finalisation set Service Quality following investigation and court findings (where
by the DoJ are met. Timeous processing applicable).
of criminal cases Measure: The proportion of new cases in each province
involving child abuse. finalised within 6 months.
Reason for use: To Source: DoJ. To be developed for specific child abuse and
monitor the efficacy neglect services quality audits.
of the justice system Period: Every 5 years
in matters affecting
abused and neglected
children.
Cases that endure for
long periods cause
distress to children
and families; they are
more susceptible to

intimidation by
perpetrators.
Conduct a national Type 5 Indicator: It is recommended that a study along the lines of the
child abuse and Service Quality Canadian National Incidence Study of child abuse and
neglect incidence The national DoSD neglect be undertaken.
study in order has commissioned a The study should include an investigation of:
to establish national incidence • Failure to supervise or protect leading to physical harm;
baseline data on and service quality • Physical neglect;
substantiated child audit. • Failure to thrive;
abuse and neglect, Reason for use: In • Medical neglect (including mental health neglect);
as well as a service order to provide • Educational neglect;
audit to monitor more accurate • Emotional neglect;
all social work, incidence data than The study should evaluate access to and quality of social
police and judicial presently available work, police and judicial services for affected children.
services for and to track Period: Every 10 years
affected children. incidence over time;
to provide data on
case loads, service
levels, and to inform
service planning.

additional indicators for monitoring child abuse and neglect • 485

reason for use
Protect children Type 2 Indicator: Definition: Children in households in which parents who
from all forms of Family & Household participated in a survey admitted to partner violence in
violence, abuse and Environment the past year.
neglect in the Exposure to domestic Measure: The proportion of parents with children at
home. violence home, who admitted to perpetrating or being victims of
Strengthen families Reason for use: To partner violence in the past year (the number of children
in need of support. monitor the extent of in the household should be used to indicate the probable
children’s exposure to numbers of children in each province likely to be exposed
domestic violence. to domestic violence).
Sources: Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) South
African Social Attitudes Survey (SASAS) (most recent
2003); other partner violence surveys that may be
available.
Alternatively, a retrospective survey of adults on their
childhood experiences using measures designed for the
UN Study on Violence to Children (see endnote 2 above),

or another reliable violence exposure measure.
Period: Every 5 years if feasible.

Type 1 Indicator: Definitions: 1. Adults who report being smacked or beaten
Child Status at home in childhood in a retrospective survey (using
Children exposed to measures designed for the UN Study on Violence to
physical punishment Children or another reliable violence exposure
at home. measure).
Type 2 Indicator: 2. Children who report being smacked or beaten at home
Family & Household (using measures designed for the UN Study on Violence
Environment to Children or another reliable violence exposure
Caregivers who measure).
approve of physical 3. The proportion of adults, with children, who i) support
punishment. the use of physical punishment at home, and ii) use
Caregivers who use physical punishment.
physical punishment. Measures: 1.&2. The proportion of children who report
Reason for use: To being smacked or beaten at home (child or adult
monitor the extent of retrospective survey).
children’s exposure to 3. The proportion of adults with children who i) support
domestic violence. the use of physical punishment at home, and ii) use
physical punishment.
Sources: Adult attitudes and behaviour: HSRC SASAS
(most recent 2003); children and retrospective reports:
specific studies such as the UN study (not available for
South Africa).
Period: Every 5 years if feasible; a baseline children’s study
is needed as no representative data currently exist.


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