DISCLAIMER: The content in this interview may be upsetting to some . Professional help and resources are available below.

It is Child Protection Week and Mid-Morning Magic’s Yolanda Maartens chats to Dr Antoinette Basson, Senior Research Psychologist at the Youth Research Unit at UNISA, in the interview below:

Dr Basson also explains the overlap between experiences of offline and online violence among children, and further shares information on how you can report a case of online sexual exploitation and abuse.

Child protection is part of the safeguarding process that focuses on protecting individual children identified as suffering or likely to suffer significant harm. This week aims to raise awareness of the rights of children as articulated in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and Children's Act (Act No. 38 of 2005).

Dr Basson also shares how South Africa has made progress in protecting children from online child sexual exploitation and abuse and the way forward. If you would like to get hold of Dr Basson, email her at abasson@bmr.co.za

You can also get help at:

• Childline South Africa: 0800 055 555
• Child Welfare South Africa: 0861 4 CHILD (24453) / 011 452-4110 / e-mail: info@childwelfaresa.org.za
• SAPS Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Free State: 051-5076628