Children are being abused, assaulted and violated, yet instead of calling the police, some families
call a family meeting choosing silence, shame or protecting the family name over protecting the child. But what happens when the people responsible for keeping children safe become part of the system that keeps them silent? When does a “family matter” become a criminal matter, and what does that silence do to a child? We’re unpacking when families fail to protect abused children. Kefentse Mkhari is in conversation with social worker Nombuyiselo Letsoalo.