WMACA and Eversheds Sutherland join forces to fight against child abuse

• South Africa

31-05-2019

Women & Men Against Child Abuse and Eversheds Sutherland in South Africa are extremely honoured to announce their partnership and the establishment of a Child Law Clinic during Child Protection Week in our joint quest to improve the plight of abused children in South Africa.

This collaboration between Eversheds Sutherland and WMACA will allow the organization's Advocacy arm the opportunity to challenge legislation and legal proceedings more effectively; thereby raising the bar on efficient child protection in South Africa.

Women & Men Against Child Abuse is an NGO that was established in 1997 as an advocacy organization, fighting for the rights of abused children and highlighting inadequacies in the justice system.

The group raises awareness about the many and complicated issues around child abuse and its effects on the victims and focuses on highlighting inadequacies in the justice system. WMACA provide free medical and psycho social treatment to child victims of abuse at their Kidz Clinics in Alexandra and Boksburg . They also provide prevention, diversion and education programmes around child abuse to the communities in which they operate.

Peter van Niekerk, Managing Partner of the South Africa office comments:

"Eversheds Sutherland has a track record of creating partnerships with progressive entities - Women & Men Against Child Abuse embodies that same spirit but applies it to a cause that we too, feel passionate about. There is a long road ahead, but we've taken the first step in a new direction”.

Child abuse statistics in South Africa remain woefully under-reported, with a huge number of cases simply not being reported for a lack of knowledge and fear of tedious and drawn out court cases; a sad reflection of the current justice system in South Africa.

Through this partnership we hope to assist child victims, continue our ongoing education of the general public and leave a legacy which includes progressing our legislative agenda for the sake of children's rights.

Miranda Jordan, Founding Director of WMACA also commented:

"We are extremely grateful that our efforts to combat child abuse will now benefit from the expertise that a partnership with a prestigious law firm such as Eversheds Sutherland will bring to WMACA . This is not just a meeting of minds, but we have the potential to deal even more comprehensively with child abuse and the Criminal Justice system now".

For further information or comments, please contact:

Miranda Jordan - WMACA Founding Director 

Tel. 011 789 8815

• Peter van Niekerk
• Senior Partner
• +27 10 003 1420
• +27 10 003 1420
• Connect with Peter van Niekerk on LinkedIn

< Go back