Mother agrees to parental classes following outcry over toddler's gang tattoos
SOCIAL workers have stepped in to help the three-year-old toddler from Wellington who was photographed with 28 prison gang tattoos.
After meeting with Department of Social Development officials, the mother "agreed to go for parental classes to correct her behaviour“.
The pictures posted by the child’s mother led to a local activist reporting the matter to the Department of Social Development (DSD) amid concerns for the child’s wellbeing.
The pictures on Facebook sparked an uproar with angry people questioning why a parent would draw prison tattoos, known as gunyas, on their child’s shoulders.
People became angry and shared her picture over 1500 times and criticised the mother after her social profile also revealed that the toddler had been taught to pose making 28 gang hand signs.
On Monday child rights activist Damaris Kiewiets, 57, visited the Paarl Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) told her that she could not open a criminal case.
DSD spokesperson Esther Lewis confirms that the social workers have visited the mom and says: “The Department made contact with the family and a full safety and risk assessment was conducted.
“The child was not removed. The family have cooperated with the social workers, and the appropriate support and interventions have commenced.”
Kiewiets says she is happy with the outcome and hope other young moms have learnt a lesson.
‘I am happy with the outcome.
“She did not expect social workers to show up at her house and I don’t think she was aware of the implications of her actions.
“I was informed that the child was not removed but that there is a risk assessment being undertaken and the mother has agreed to go for parental classes to correct her behaviour and ultimately that is the goal.
“This boy is just three years old and was being indoctrinated into being a little gangster.
“It was a situation that required us as activists to stand up and alert the authorities so that the appropriate action can be taken.
“If we save just one child, then it’s enough. But we can’t just sit and watch as pictures like this make their way to social media and do nothing.’
Cape Argus