WOMEN & MEN AGAINST CHILD ABUSE

Women and Men Against Child Abuse (WMACA) was founded by Miranda Jordan-Friedmann — a lawyer who became acutely aware of children's rights during law studies at the University of the Witwatersrand in the early 1990s, in the upheaval of South Africa's political transition. What she saw in those years — children invisible in a legal and social system that was being rebuilt but still failing its most vulnerable — set the course of her life's work. WMACA's founding philosophy is expressed in one phrase: a multifaceted, dynamic, and aggressive offensive against any form of abuse and gender violence. They are not passive. Their most recent work includes speaking on ENCA about the failure of South Africa's child protection system (May 2025), publishing a professional guide on how and when to report child abuse (November 2025), and convening a discussion on children having children (February 2026).

In January 2025, WMACA's Kidz Clinic was devastated by a robbery — losing essential equipment and donations. They continue to operate.

What They Offer Child Survivors and Families

Kidz Clinics — Free, Holistic, One-Stop Care (Alexandra and Boksburg) WMACA's Kidz Clinics provide free medical and therapeutic intervention to abused and vulnerable children in Alexandra (Johannesburg) and Boksburg (Ekurhuleni). A one-stop basket of services includes: medical examination and documentation of abuse; trauma-focused therapeutic treatment; counselling for children and their non-offending parents and caregivers; and education and empowerment for children to understand and protect their rights. These clinics are designed to serve children who would otherwise never access specialist care.

Advocacy — Parliament, Media, and the Courts WMACA conducts national advocacy at the highest levels — making submissions to Parliament, engaging national media (ENCA television, Sunday Times), lobbying for improved child protection legislation, and confronting specific system failures by name. Their goal is not just to serve the children in front of them, but to change the system for every child behind them.

Professional and Community Training WMACA trains professionals — teachers, social workers, healthcare workers, law enforcement — on how and when to report child abuse, how to handle disclosures sensitively, and how to avoid re-traumatising children through poor practice.

Early Intervention Programme — Animal Empathy Curriculum WMACA's Early Intervention Programme teaches children love and respect for animals as a foundation for teaching love and respect for people — using the human-animal bond as an entry point for building empathy, emotional regulation, and non-violent behaviour from the earliest age. Research consistently shows that empathy for animals and empathy for humans are deeply linked, and that early intervention in this space reduces the likelihood of later violence.

Online Abuse Reporting WMACA's website includes a structured abuse reporting form — allowing members of the public to report suspected child abuse directly to the organisation, who can then direct the report to the appropriate authorities.

Resources for Parents, Children, and Professionals WMACA's website hosts a library of downloadable resources — including the Department of Education's SPEAK OUT handbook for learners on preventing sexual abuse in schools, and Section27's guide for children, families, and community members on managing sexual abuse. These are freely accessible to anyone.

WMACA is in Johannesburg. Call 011 789 8815 for support, referrals, or professional training. Facebook: facebook.com/wmaca. To report abuse online, use the form at wmaca.org.