Meet the Speakers
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Dr Shaheda Omar
The Teddy Bear Foundation
Topic: Growing risks in the digital age: How online sexual exposure is shaping learner behaviour

Tiisetso Tshehle
North-West University
Topic: Intentional child neglect by parents and caregivers

Meryl C. Thomas
Champions for Change
Topic: From informed bystanders to active protectors: Building safer schools through legal care, heart care and professional partnership

Debra Clelland
DeafKidz International
Topic: Holistic protection for Deaf children in South Africa
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Prof Hanelie Malan
North-West University
Topic: Child maltreatment assessment models in custody dispute cases: A rapid review

Dr Sivuyile Nqaphi
South African Police Service
Topic: My Body, My Voice, My Future

Faith Nkomo
The Teddy Bear Foundation
Topic: Risk and protective factors influencing adolescent sexual abuse: Perspectives of parents and social workers at The Teddy Bear Foundation

Dr Roslind Mokwele
North-West University
Topic: Male children’s delayed disclosure of sexual abuse: A scoping review

Danie van Loggerenberg
National Centre for Child Protection
Topic: Digital self-exploitation: How children are using social media and AI to sell intimate content and the urgent child protection implications

Hilda O'Callaghan
Protective Behaviours Southern Africa
Topic: Protective Behaviours to create safer communities, free from violence

Dr Niccoh Diago
Stellenbosch University
Topic Paper 1: Crisis within a crisis: Child-headed households and the struggle for children’s rights to protection, food and education
Topic Paper 2: Who protects the boy child? The hidden burden of boys heading child-headed households in South Africa

Vanessa Naidoo
Office of the Family Advocate
Topic: Safeguarding the best interests of children through forensic assessments and evidence-based research after divorce

Prof Lizane Wilson
North-West University
Topic: Engaging fathers in child sexual abuse prevention: Perspectives from the West Rand, Gauteng Province

Dr Louisa Stoker
Private practice
Topic: Psychological Manipulation and Abuse in High-Control Groups (e.g. cults) – Parental Belief, Professional Concern, and the Child’s Best Interests

Prof Daniel T. Masilo
North-West University
Topic: Essential components of an ideal educational social work programme on child rape for parents and caregivers in South Africa: An argumentative literature review

Dr Donavan M. Andrews
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health
Topic: The examination as evidence and as surveillance: Colposcopic imaging and alcohol exposure as twin failures of structured data capture in South Africa’s response to child abuse and gender-based violence

Dr Tamlynn Jefferis
North-West University
Topic: Trauma-informed strengths-based interventions to foster children’s resilience and well-being in the context of child maltreatment

Lerelle Moss
Brescia House School
Topic: The school social work role in operationalising child protection as a designated safeguarding officer
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Zenobia Louw
Zenza Foundation
Topic: Beyond the child: Addressing foster and safety parents’ trauma in trauma-informed child protection practice

Bonganjalo Benson Nyamakazi
University of Fort Hare
Topic: Building resilient child protection systems in rural South Africa: Lessons from public health administration

Dr San-Marié Keyser
North-West University
Topic: Modulating strategies for assessing autistic children using the NICHD assessment protocol: A literature review

Dr Colly William Matjila
Department of Social Development
Topic: Developing a training programme for social workers in Limpopo Province dealing with care and contact matters regarding children

Dr Livhuwani Ramphabana
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Topic: The role of birth registration data in strengthening stakeholder collaboration and policy responses to statutory rape in South Africa

Dr Sufran Smith
North-West University
Topic: South African forensic social workers’ perspectives on assessing children with disabilities who are allegedly sexually abused
