CR&RP uses face-to-face communication to strengthen the capacity of parents and teachers to protect the rights of children, for instance by:

• creating awareness of and sensitivity regarding child abuse issues in school communities through education about all forms of child abuse, with the aim of reducing abusive practices.
• ensuring sensitive services for abused children by providing training for professionals and lay persons in the field of violence against children.
• piloting a Childline Buddy programme which involves advocacy or peer support in schools in the satellite office of Katorus.

Specifically, with the goal of reaching approximately 70,000 children in 90 government schools, CR&RP's in-school programme emphasises training and group discussion. Following a 3-hour teachers workshop, approximately 45,000 children are expected to take part in class discussions on life skills. These discussions will be designed to help develop a sense of children’s rights and responsibilities through a focus on issues such as physical, sexual and emotional integrity; safe sex and HIV/AIDS; domestic violence; teenage pregnancy; children’s responsibility to respect the rights of others; and corporal punishment and bullying. (These topics vary depending on the developmental needs of the age group being trained.) Childline anticipates that approximately 100 children will disclose experiences of abuse after the talk. They will then receive counselling and protective measurers; referrals to Childline counselling services will be facilitated. A life skills programme for children in grades 5-7 has also been developed.

Local participation is central to the effort, and is facilitated, again, through training. For instance, 16 new volunteers will initially be guided in implementing the programme. Continued monthly training of all CR&RP volunteers will be provided on relevant topics such as group facilitation skills; counselling skills to handle disclosures; child protection; physical, sexual and emotional abuse; HIV/AIDS; referrals; and community resources. In addition, monthly group supervision sessions for all CR&RP volunteers will take place in all offices. Furthermore, 5 training sessions on child abuse issues will be held for lay and professional people including health professionals, women’s groups and faith-based organisations. A parenting skills programme will be developed and each office will offer a session to interested parents. Children's participation is being emphasised through training of 30 new "Childline Buddies" in Katorus as part of a pilot project. Training topics will be similar to those developed for the adult volunteers; monthly supervision will also be a component of this initiative. In the 2006 financial year, organisers aim to have implemented the Buddies Program in all Childline offices in Gauteng.

Entertaining yet educational strategies are also being used to reach parents and children as part of CR&RP. For instance, to educate people about the topic for Child Protection Week 2005, which was “Caring Communities Protect Children”, a CR&RP communication campaign was designed to raise the awareness of parents and communities throughout the year. Drawing on the book, puppet and poster set of the Lucy Moonflower character who appears in a book about child abuse, approximately 10,000 Lucy Moonflower posters, magnets and pamphlets were developed and distributed; 60 or so puppets of Lucy Moonflower and Griffin, the white lion, were developed. A road show was arranged to take the programme to 5 shopping centres.

Children, Rights.

Childline maintains that research and on-the-ground experience have revealed that a large number of boys in South Africa are being sexually abused. They estimate that an abused boy is 4 times more likely to then subsequently abuse others if he remains silent and unsupported through his ordeal.

Childline points out that children cannot take responsibility for ensuring their safety, as they are disadvantaged in terms of their age and lack of physical strength. However, awareness of their rights can encourage them to seek assistance as soon as they begin to feel uncomfortable in a potentially abusive situation. The CR&RP project is also geared toward engendering a sense of responsibility in children regarding their own rights and the rights of others.

Evaluation processes for CR&RP will include making recordings of all contact with learners, which will to be used by satellite social workers to supervise the volunteers; on-site evaluations and observation of volunteers at selected schools; and performance appraisals of all social workers and volunteers.