,TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section A: Short Constructed Response (22 marks)…………………………………………….3
Section B: Applied Legislation & Policy (28 marks)………………………………………… ..5
Section C: Case Study & Analysis (30 marks)………………………………………………….9
Section D: Integrative Essay (20 marks)……………………………………………………….12
References
, SECTION A
1. Definition and distinction of child abuse, neglect, and exploitation in terms of the Children’s
Act 38 of 2005
In terms of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005, child abuse, neglect, and exploitation are distinct but
related forms of harm that violate a child’s rights and compromise their safety and development
(Children’s Act 38 of 2005).
Child abuse refers to any deliberate act that causes physical, emotional, or sexual harm to a child.
This includes physical abuse such as hitting or burning, emotional abuse such as humiliation,
intimidation, or rejection, and sexual abuse such as inappropriate touching or exploitation. Abuse
is characterised by active harm inflicted on the child and often involves a power imbalance
where the child is unable to protect themselves (Children’s Act 38 of 2005).
Neglect refers to the failure by a caregiver to provide for a child’s basic needs, despite having the
means to do so. This includes physical neglect (lack of food, shelter, clothing), educational
neglect (failure to ensure school attendance), medical neglect (failure to access healthcare), and
emotional neglect (lack of care, supervision, or affection). Neglect is therefore an act of omission
rather than commission, and it places the child at significant risk of harm (Children’s Act 38 of
2005).
Exploitation involves the use of a child for the benefit of another person, often in a harmful or
abusive manner. This includes child labour, trafficking, commercial sexual exploitation, and any
situation where a child is used for financial, social, or personal gain. Exploitation is particularly
serious because it often involves systemic abuse and violates the child’s dignity and rights
(Children’s Act 38 of 2005).
The key distinction lies in the nature of the harm: abuse is active harm, neglect is failure to act,
and exploitation is using a child for gain. However, in practice, these often overlap and are
treated as forms of child maltreatment under the Act (Children’s Act 38 of 2005).
Section A: Short Constructed Response (22 marks)…………………………………………….3
Section B: Applied Legislation & Policy (28 marks)………………………………………… ..5
Section C: Case Study & Analysis (30 marks)………………………………………………….9
Section D: Integrative Essay (20 marks)……………………………………………………….12
References
, SECTION A
1. Definition and distinction of child abuse, neglect, and exploitation in terms of the Children’s
Act 38 of 2005
In terms of the Children’s Act 38 of 2005, child abuse, neglect, and exploitation are distinct but
related forms of harm that violate a child’s rights and compromise their safety and development
(Children’s Act 38 of 2005).
Child abuse refers to any deliberate act that causes physical, emotional, or sexual harm to a child.
This includes physical abuse such as hitting or burning, emotional abuse such as humiliation,
intimidation, or rejection, and sexual abuse such as inappropriate touching or exploitation. Abuse
is characterised by active harm inflicted on the child and often involves a power imbalance
where the child is unable to protect themselves (Children’s Act 38 of 2005).
Neglect refers to the failure by a caregiver to provide for a child’s basic needs, despite having the
means to do so. This includes physical neglect (lack of food, shelter, clothing), educational
neglect (failure to ensure school attendance), medical neglect (failure to access healthcare), and
emotional neglect (lack of care, supervision, or affection). Neglect is therefore an act of omission
rather than commission, and it places the child at significant risk of harm (Children’s Act 38 of
2005).
Exploitation involves the use of a child for the benefit of another person, often in a harmful or
abusive manner. This includes child labour, trafficking, commercial sexual exploitation, and any
situation where a child is used for financial, social, or personal gain. Exploitation is particularly
serious because it often involves systemic abuse and violates the child’s dignity and rights
(Children’s Act 38 of 2005).
The key distinction lies in the nature of the harm: abuse is active harm, neglect is failure to act,
and exploitation is using a child for gain. However, in practice, these often overlap and are
treated as forms of child maltreatment under the Act (Children’s Act 38 of 2005).
