SAPOL has a lead role in the protection of children and young people from abuse and harm through the establishment of positive, caring and respectful relationships in youth justice, detention, education and crime prevention settings.
The Children and Young People (Safety) Act, 2017 provides a child focused framework where the protection of children and young people is at the centre of the child protection system.
The focus of child safe environments is not simply to minimize risk or danger, rather it is to build an environment that is both child safe and child friendly, where children are valued and feel respected and encouraged to participate and reach their full potential. Children have a right to be safe, healthy and happy and they should be given a voice.
SAPOL have given children a voice by creating a concerns and feedback form. Police want children and young people to have a voice and tell us about the services we provide and what it is like to interact with the Police and Police volunteers. We will use the feedback to listen to what children and young people are telling us so we can make positive changes to the services we provide this important age group. Your feedback is important to us.
SAPOL has developed Guidelines covering:
SAPOL has a child safety officer (police officer) who is the first point of contact to: