RAPCAN (Resources Aimed at the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect)

Our VISION

RAPCAN is widely recognised for its contribution towards creating a safe society where children are acknowledged as rights-holders, and the rights of all are respected. We strive for a society where adults take responsibility for the safety of children, where children participate in the realisation of their rights and are able to achieve their full potential.

Our MISSION

RAPCAN is committed to ensuring that the protection (nurturance) and participation (autonomy) rights of children are realised. We work within an advocacy framework towards the realisation of a prevention-oriented child protection system, gender equality and children’s participation in all decisions affecting their lives.  Our work is strengthened by strategic partnerships and child participation. We respect diversity, dignity and the equality of all people, and provide resources to support the testing of professional, high quality, evidence-informed programmes.

Our OBJECTIVES

RAPCAN’s prevention orientation towards child protection is integral to the organisation’s mandate. The prevention approach, explicit in the South African Children’s Act Number 38 of 2005 informs RAPCAN’s focus on primary and secondary prevention of child maltreatment (abuse) programmes.  Secondary prevention focuses on populations at risk and primary prevention focuses on the underlying factors of child maltreatment.

The key strategic objectives are:

• To promote primary and secondary prevention in the childprotection system.
• To promote children’s participation rights and to facilitate opportunities for children to influence decisions
• To enable adults and children to promote gender parity with a focus on sexual decision-making in adolescence to realise protection and participation rights.

Our PRINCIPLES

• Advocate with role-players whose actions and decisions have an impact on children’s lives to establish and/or enhance legislation, policy and services that meet children’s needs and promote the realisation of children’s rights
• Ensure that its work is innovative and evidence-based, responsive to contextual challenges and the needs of our beneficiaries and is continually informed by research, monitoring and evaluation.
• Ensure that our work is informed by children’s views, context and experiences by engaging children in ethical processes of participation
• Provide evidence-based training and resource materials that strengthen the nature and quality of services provided to children and families by other service-providers
• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships and networks with relevant organisations, donors and individuals to strengthen its ability to provide holistic interventions, build capacity within communities to promote and protect children’s rights and exchange knowledge and learning