Distressing subject - helping possible child abuse victims

[MrsWhateverWherever]

Hello,

I'm posting here as I don't know where else to turn for advice atm and this is such a serious subject that I cannot just sit by and do nothing.

DH is a white South African who has lived in the UK for most of of his adult life. We have just found out that a pair of siblings within his family back in SA have possibly been victims of child sex abuse by another relative who has been caring for them lately. The childrens' parents are very unreliable and unable to look after them which is why this situation has been allowed to develop. The children are very young, both under 6, so a very distressing situation.

DH says the SA police are useless in these kinds of situations, and there are no social services over there. I have tried to google, but I don't really know what would happen to these children if they were taken into custody in SA. Does it even happen over there?

We have our own children, but would take these poor kids in to look after them, but without a passport and the parent's consent i don't know what can be done. We are also just a normal family with a mortgage and bills of our own to cover, so not sure what to do.

The children are being removed from the possible abusers home today, and they will be with their mother for whom we have organised an emergency accommodation for a month (She is homeless, staying with various family members few weeks at a time. She is not a drug user/alcoholic, but just not a very good parent in general, although not abusive). This is all very expensive for us and we can't really afford to pay her living costs for a long time.

I'm sure there are some pretty knowledgeable people here on Mumsnet, so please if you're either a South African or a lawyer, or anyone with any helpful advice, is there anything we can do? DH is the uncle of these children.

Ive no knowledge personally sorry but i didn't want to read and run.

You could try contacting a child abuse or children's charity based out there for assistance. A quick Google shows me SA have a childine organisation. Might be a good place to start.

www.childlinesa.org.za/contact-us/

SnowdropFox thank you for your reply! I appreciate it. Even though I've visited SA many times I've never lived there. I don't know if these organisations are as unreliable as DH says they are,or if he is just exaggerating. But if the mother of these children keeps on failing her children and doesn't look for help now, we will have to do it from here. Thank you!

Very difficult situation but bar going out there yourselves putting your trust in a charitable organisation may be all you can do for now. They are at least there for advice.
I hope someone else can come along and provide some more specific advice.

Yes, you are right. And going there would not really solve anything either unless we'd actually move there and buy a house big enough for everyone to live in, which is not going to happen since we are all tied up in here. Its just so very desperate. My DH has poured money and help to this family over the years and it has been such a burden for a long time. And now it's just plain awful.