---
title: "Survival stories – readers share their experiences of child abuse"
description: "South Africa’s children are in crisis. During Child Protection Week, Daily Maverick has explored how children face various forms of violence. Readers shared their own experiences."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "CHILDREN IN CRISIS"
author: "Daily Maverick"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/dailymaverick/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-06-04-survival-stories-readers-share-their-experiences-of-child-abuse/"
published: "2025-06-04T21:05:03"
updated: "2025-06-05T10:15:34"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 11
---

# Survival stories – readers share their experiences of child abuse

> South Africa’s children are in crisis. During Child Protection Week, Daily Maverick has explored how children face various forms of violence. Readers shared their own experiences.

By Daily Maverick · Published 4 June 2025, 23:05 SAST · Updated 5 June 2025, 12:15 SAST

## Key points
- South Africa’s children are in crisis. During Child Protection Week, Daily Maverick has explored how children face various forms of violence. Readers shared their own experiences.
- Childhood experiences are increasingly marked by instability and adversity.
- Mental health issues among children are on the rise, exacerbated by societal pressures.
- Access to quality education and support services remains uneven, deepening inequalities.
- Urgent action is needed to address the systemic challenges facing the younger generation.

## Content

Read more: [Childhood in crisis](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/children-in-crisis/?x=2)

![safety children](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Screenshot-2025-06-03-at-18.56.54.png)

[Media on Daily Maverick: "GBV for boys"](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-06-04-survival-stories-readers-share-their-experiences-of-child-abuse/)