The purpose of this document is to explore why and how Child Protective Services (CPS) evolved from a highly specialized system designed to investigate and respond to allegations of serious child abuse and neglect to a system expected to provide social services and material supports to impoverished families unable to meet their children’s basic needs.

This policy brief presents the key findings of the 2024 Child Gauge which focuses on early childhood development and the full book can be accessed at www.ci.uct.ac.za.

This 17th issue of the South African Child Gauge focuses attention on early childhood development – from conception until the start of formal school. It collates the latest evidence to reflect on progress, identify challenges and point the way forward.

 وثمة عوامل تفاقِم الأخطار التي يواجهها الأطفال، من بينها الهجرة والتهجير غير  الآمنين، والنزاعات المسلحة، وتغير المناخ، والجوائح، والاستغلال الذي تتيحه التقنياتُ  منع العنف ضد الأطفال والاستجابة إليه هو أحد الحديثة، وتصاعد التفاوت.

A urgência em prevenir e responder a todas as formas de violência contra as crianças nunca foi tão grande. Todos os anos, mais de mil milhões de crianças são vítimas de violência, com um impacto económico estimado em 7 bilhões de dólares.¹ 

La necesidad urgente de prevenir y responder a todas las formas de violencia contra la infancia nunca ha sido mayor.

Il n’a jamais été aussi urgent de prévenir et de combattre toutes les formes de violence contre les enfants.

The Child Protection System Strengthening Framework for Action was launched at the first Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children on 8 November 2024. This framework aims to strengthen child protection systems globally by promoting a cohesive approach to preventing and responding to violence against children in all contexts.