Latest news with #CharnelHattingh
The Citizen
20 hours ago
- The Citizen
Empower your children with safety precautions
Kidnapping remains a persistent and evolving threat in South Africa, and also right here on home soil in the Vaal. It affects individuals across socio-economic backgrounds. According to SAPS statistics, thousands of kidnappings are reported annually, many involving minors or youth lured through deception. Common scenarios include express kidnappings, opportunistic abductions, custody disputes, or digital grooming via social media. Syndicates target victims for ransom, extortion, human trafficking, or in connection with criminal or political disputes. While adults remain high-risk targets, children and young adults are increasingly vulnerable due to gaps in awareness and digital exposure. 'Personal safety awareness should be non-negotiable—and it starts at home,' says Charnel Hattingh, head of marketing and communications at Fidelity Services Group. 'Equipping children and teenagers with practical safety tools and the confidence to act decisively can reduce the likelihood of abduction or exploitation.' Prevention starts with education. Simple daily habits and situational awareness can significantly reduce risk exposure. Hattingh outlines the following proactive measures for children and teens: For young children Walk in groups: Always walk to and from school with friends. Stick to familiar, populated routes and avoid shortcuts through alleys, open fields, or vacant lots. Avoid distractions: Keep mobile devices and tablets out of sight to avoid attracting attention. Secure school pickups: Children should wait inside the school grounds for their lift and never leave with anyone who hasn't been preapproved. Stranger danger rules: Reinforce that children should never accept rides from strangers—even if the stranger claims there's an emergency involving a parent. Use a family password: Establish a security word only known to you and your child. If someone can't repeat it, the child must seek help immediately. Responding to threats: If someone tries to grab them, teach them to scream, kick, and resist loudly to draw attention and attempt to escape. Observation skills: If they witness something suspicious, train them to notice the suspect's appearance, vehicle, and any details that could assist authorities later. Emergency awareness: Children should memorise their full name, home address, and key contact numbers. Practice dialing 10111 using a toy phone. For older children, consider preloading emergency numbers or installing a safety app like Namola or Life360. For teenagers and students Stay alert: Avoid wearing headphones or texting while walking—awareness is your first line of defense. Switch up routines: Alter daily travel routes and avoid walking alone in isolated areas. Transport safety: Only use vetted taxi or ride-share services. Never enter unmarked or suspicious vehicles. Social media caution: Never meet online acquaintances alone. Arrange group meetings in public spaces with friends present. Job and modelling scams: Beware of predators offering false opportunities—always verify through trusted sources. Managing social media safety 'Predators also exploit these platforms to groom or track potential victims,' warns Hattingh. Parental guidance for digital safety: Limit oversharing: Avoid posting children's personal details, locations, or daily routines online. Educate on fake profiles: Teach children how criminals use false identities to build trust online before attempting to lure them. Check-ins, not spying: Have regular, open conversations about their social media usage. Where necessary, review their apps and messages to ensure safety boundaries are respected. Hattingh urges all parents to maintain open communication, establish trust-based safety protocols, and continuously adapt to new threats posed by technology and social engineering tactics. * If your child ever goes missing or you witness suspicious activity, report it immediately to SAPS at 10111 or contact a child protection organisation like Missing Children SA. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
15-06-2025
- The Citizen
Youth Month highlights need to protect youth from crime
Safety must remain top of mind for everyone, especially teenagers and young adults, who are particularly vulnerable to crime. SA continues to face alarmingly high levels of crime and violence, and too often, young people are the ones targeted. Therefore, Youth Month should serve as a rallying call for parents and caregivers to renew their commitment to youth safety. 'As adults, we have the responsibility to teach young people how to stay safe and secure,' says Charnel Hattingh, the group head of communications and marketing at the Fidelity Services Group. 'If we can instil in them the ability to avoid risks and look after themselves, we can have a real, positive impact. A good place to start is by equipping young South Africans with the tools they need to be safe.' Hattingh says much can be done to improve safety near schools and shares practical advice for Youth Month. 'Areas around schools are often prime spots for opportunistic criminals. Children walking with cellphones visible are particularly at risk, and there are still cases where learners are either threatened with a weapon or tricked into handing over their phones to a 'stranger in need'.' Other crimes common near schools include hijackings of parents waiting to pick up their children, armed robberies and vehicle theft. 'Criminals count on parents being distracted during school drop-off and pick-up times. Many are absorbed in their routines, not paying attention to their surroundings. This is the danger of daily monotony,' Hattingh says. She offers these safety tips for parents and learners: • Children should never leave school premises with anyone they don't know; • Those waiting to be fetched should remain inside the school grounds; • Children who walk home should do so in groups and stick to familiar routes. Hattingh stresses the importance of preparing children for when things go wrong. 'It's essential that children of all ages know how to respond to danger. Do your kids know how to contact the SAPS or find help in a busy public space if you're separated? Have you practised what they should do in those situations? There are good, honest adults willing to help; children need to know how to find them.' 'We have a responsibility to create a safer world for future generations. That starts with empowering children today,' she says. Lastly, Hattingh encourages parents to maintain open communication with teenagers so they feel confident to speak up and report abuse. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
