Learners Speak Out Against Child Abuse! - A Guide for Learners on Preventing Sexual Abuse in Schools - What to Do If Abused

Oct 19, 2026

Uploaded by Patrick

Learners Speak Out Against Child Abuse! provides clear guidance for children on recognizing and preventing sexual abuse in public schools. It explains what child abuse includes and offers direct advice on speaking up, refusing unwanted touching, and telling trusted adults and parents. The pamphlet also covers reporting options when abuse involves teachers or peers, and practical next steps after sexual abuse, including medical care, police reporting, protection orders, and possible school transfer support.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

What is child abuse?

Did you know?

If someone tries to touch you

Speak out and seek help

Sexual abuse examples

Sexual harassment

Rape

Sexual assault

What to do if you have been sexually abused

Get medical treatment

Report to police and education authorities

Protection order and school transfer

Learners Speak Out Against Child Abuse! This information was made possible by the following organizations: Speak Out: A handbook for learners on how to prevent sexual abuse in public schools: A Department of Basic Education, MiET and UNICEF collaboration Centre for Applied Legal Studies, Lawyers Against Abuse and Section 27: Managing Sexual Abuse in Schools: A Guide for Children, Families and Communities Members For more information contact: 012 357 3000 012 357 3357/ 3790 What is child abuse? Any form of harm or ill-treatment deliberately inflicted on a child. These include assault, sexual abuse or bullying. Sexual abuse is very common in our schools and learners need to speak out against it. Did you know? A teacher is never allowed to have a sexual relationship with a learner under any circumstances, even if the learner is over the age of 16 and agrees to the relationship. If someone tries to touch your private parts, scream NO!!!!!!! Run away to another grown up that you know – it could be your teacher that you trust Don’t keep secrets from your parents Did you also know that? Learners can sexually abuse each other or one another. It is still wrong and you need to report it. Some examples of sexual abuse are: Sexual Harassment: • when someone sends you an sms saying they like your bum, unwanted sexual notes or pictures from a cellphone (called ‘sexting’) • when someone presses or rubs their body against yours • when someone offers you a reward for sexual favour e.g when they offer you marks in exchange for sex • when someone makes a sexual joke that makes you feel uncomfortable • when someone writes rude graffiti about you, or spreads sexual rumours about you • when someone calls you rude names like‘bitch’, ‘moffie’, ‘slut’ etc Rape: • when someone forces you to have a sexual intercourse or oral sex with him or her • when someone puts an object such as a broomstick into your bum or vagina Sexual Assault: • when someone touches you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable • when someone forces you to look at pictures of naked people or people having sex If you have been sexually abused, there are certain steps you need to follow (not in any order) to ensure you get help as soon as possible. Go to the hospital to seek medical treatment. You have a right to this so as to stop pain, prevent pregnancy, prevent HIV and other STIs and treat injuries. Report your abuse to the police. If possible, don’t goto the police station alone. Take someone you trust with to support you. If the abuser is an educator, report the abuser to the Provincial Education Department @ 0800 202 933, can report the abuse to the South African Council of Educators (SACE) @ 086 1007 223 You can apply for a protection order at any magistrate court in the country. You can request to be transferred to a new/nearby school. There are considerations with this option such as a need for transport, new uniform etc. It is important for your family to support and help you with this decision

FAQs

What counts as child abuse according to the pamphlet?

Child abuse is any form of harm or ill-treatment deliberately inflicted on a child, including assault, sexual abuse, or bullying.

What should learners do if someone tries to touch their private parts?

Scream “NO!!!!!”, run away to another grown-up you know, and don’t keep secrets from your parents.

If a learner has been sexually abused, what steps are recommended?

Seek medical treatment at a hospital, report the abuse to the police (with someone you trust if you can), and consider reporting to education authorities, applying for a protection order, and requesting a transfer to a new or nearby school.

Oct 19, 2026

Uploaded by Patrick