The Action Society has called for urgent intervention after the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness revealed that 300 teenage girls gave birth in Cape Town, warning that the cases point to child sexual abuse and exploitation.
While the department said the figure is lower than the previous year’s total, the organisation said the number remains deeply concerning and requires a stronger child protection response.
Action Society argued that pregnancies involving young girls should not be treated as ordinary teenage pregnancies but as potential cases of statutory rape, sexual abuse or exploitation that warrant immediate investigation.
The organisation called on authorities to ensure that every pregnancy involving a minor is reported and assessed by child protection services, with stronger collaboration between healthcare workers, law enforcement and social workers.
It also urged government to strengthen systems aimed at protecting vulnerable children, saying more needs to be done to prevent abuse and hold perpetrators accountable.
The renewed calls come amid growing concern over the safety of children and the effectiveness of existing measures designed to protect them from sexual violence and exploitation.
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