Childline Zimbabwe – Strengthening Child Protection Systems in a Resource Constrained Environment

Presentation by: Mr. T. Chinake, Deputy Director of Social Services, Ministry of Labour and Social Services, Zimbabwe and Justine Passaportis, National Director, Childline Zimbabwe Child Helplines International Sixth International Consultation Durban, South Africa 17 – 19 October 2012

What Does Childline Zimbabwe Do?

• Offer counselling services to abused children across Zimbabwe through the following activities: 1. 24 hour Toll-Free Telephone Helpline 2. Free post service 3. Free counselling at the Drop – in Centres • Train volunteer counsellors • Raise awareness of children’s rights & issues of child abuse • Complete follow-up home visits on all reports of child abuse and follow case management approach • Evidence based research to inform National Programming

Situation of Children in Zimbabwe

a) 1 in every 4 children is an orphan b) 5000 children live in institutions c) 12,000 children are living and working on the streets d) 48,223 child headed households, housing 102,233 children e) 165,000 children are living with HIV and AIDS f) Police report a 42% increase in juvenile rape g) The Department of Social Welfare was operating at 56% capacity in 2005

Situation at Childline Zimbabwe

• • • • • • • Currently receiving on average 90,000 calls per month On average 3000 new cases are reported every month 5% of calls are actual cases Challenge with mobile phone networks and connectivity One network operator has over 7 million subscribers Others have 2 million between them and services are not good Mobile phone and Internet company have joint and are supporting Childline with Internet and Email Support

Breakdown of Child Abuse Cases Received Sept 2011 - Feb 2012 Sexual abuse Physical abuse Neglect Emotional abuse 23% 25% 13% 39%

Types of Abuse – Disaggregated into Gender

Child Abuse- Physical Child Abuse - Sexual MALE 10% FEMALE 47% 53% MALE FEMALE 90%

Child Abuse - Emotional 42% MALE FEMALE 58% Child Abuse - Neglect 59% MALE FEMALE 41%

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How does Childline Zimbabwe Respond?

Work in partnership with Zimbabwean Government, Department of Social Services and the Zimbabwe Republic Police – Victim Friendly Unit and other partners in Child Protection Network such as Plan International and UNICEF Supported by a system of Community Volunteers and Child Protection Committees at District, Ward and Village level – Case Incentive scheme Case Management approach, recently developed and at early stages of implementation

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How Does Childline Zimbabwe Respond:

Team of 120 trained Helpline Volunteers that work three different shifts 24 hours a day (paid per shift) Team of 200 trained Community Volunteers (monthly stipend for transport) Rigorous screening, training and recruitment process with bi-annual refresher training and mentorship and incentive program Team of 18 Social Workers supporting volunteers Outreach, Awareness & Advocacy Team Monitoring and Evaluation Team All volunteers and Social Workers work in partnership with DSS representative in the specific area

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Partnership with Department of Social Services (DSS)

DSS Monitoring of Childline’s provision of Case Management services on the cases that Childline is responsible for All cases Childline receives are shared with DSS to ensure accurate and efficient follow up Joint follow up visits are conducted with shared resources and skills (vehicle, fuel) – Cost share approach Referral protocol with partners, giving the child and family holistic services (health, education, cash transfer, legal services, family support, parenting) – pooling resources – works well Follow up support through effective Case Management Service and case incentives

Outreach and Response

• • • • Partnership with Plan International in all sites where Plan operate, allowing Childline and DSS to effectively operate in remote areas Partnership with small community based groups and other organisations – pooling resources and skills Partnership with local community, including training and support of Community Child Protection Committees, Teachers, Nurses, Police and more Areas where Childline cannot reach DSS responds and areas where Childline and DSS cannot reach other partners respond

Tsholotsho Kwekwe Gweru Chiredzi Chipinge Mutare Mutasa Mutoko Hwange Hurungwe Mbire Guruve Centenary Mt Darwin Rushinga Binga Tsholotsho Lupane Kariba Gokwe North Nkayi UMP Shamva Mazowe Bindura Makonde Mhondoro Ngexi Mutoko Sanyati Kadoma Urban Zvimba Chegutu Murehwa Harare Urban Goromonzi Seke Marondera Makoni Hwedza Mudzi Nyanga Kwekwe Chikomba Mutasa Mutare Urban Chirumhanzu Mutare Gweru Buhera Bubi Shurugwi Gutu Umguza Chimanimani Bulawayo Urban Bulilima Insiza Umzingwane Zvishavane Chivi Mavingo Zaka Bikita Chipinge Mberengwa Mangwe Matobo Gwanda Mwenezi Chiredz\i Beitbridge

Results

• • • Providing responsive psychosocial support services to 3,000 children every year affected by violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect.

Increased rate of reporting due to improved access to reporting mechanisms, available 24 hours a day for 30,000 children every year affected by violence, abuse, exploitation and neglect.

Evident strengthening of the broader community in 22 districts across Zimbabwe and thus the protective environment to support the care interventions and response services for children affected by violence, abuse and neglect.

Results

• • • • • Responded to over 4000 cases between January & Sept 2012 Childline well known for Child Protection services Increased calls on the Helpline = improved ICT Services and understanding from donors on need of ICT (however minimal) Community taking ownership, responsibility and pride in their communities and children Childline contributes to extensive research and evidence based programming that is reflective of children’s needs

Challenges

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HELPLINE:

Receiving 90,000 calls per month and have the capacity to only respond to 35% Closure of cases on the Helpline meaning reduction in cost Lack of ICT development (hardware and software) to keep up with global trends • • •

ADVOCACY &AWARENESS

Awareness Raising and the positive impact on prevention, knowledge and awareness which reduces frequency of cases Demands by community for awareness campaigns i.e. Schools heads, DA, seed distribution, DAC, FBO’s - no budget for this • • • •

CASE MANAGEMENT & FOLLOW UPS

Sensitatisation of Case Management approach with partners and stakeholders, would result in more successful referrals and case closures ‘Country wide Follow Ups’ - 840 cases from Sept 2011 to date – how to respond to children who are calling out of the funded areas Children losing faith in our service and our partnership with DSS

Solutions

• • • • • • • • • • DSS to sit on our helpline to ensure quicker case response and closure – Currently working on this Shifting of Helpline onto electronic record keeping system in all sites Expand helpline services to cope with demand ICT equipment and software support SMS/web based counseling platform to cater more for disabled children Community sensitisation in Case Management Approach Increased Awareness campaigns and sensitisation on Positive Parenting Strengthen partner capacity to provide referral services Advocate for research with UNICEF/CCORE Impact of Helpline – Preventing, Responding, Advocacy tool Improvement of ICT systems More information sharing on Cash Transfers and BEAM to complement the PSS being provided Childline

THANK YOU ; TINOTENDA; SIYABONGA; OBRIGADO; MERCI

Any questions?