Leading Experts Highlight Sexual Abuse Red Flags in M-Net Documentary School Ties
School Ties, a ground-breaking, harrowing four-part documentary series about the grooming and sexual abuse of learners at some of South Africa’s most prominent, prestigious boys’ schools, comes to M-Net Channel 101 on 16 May at 9pm. Produced by Devilsdorp, Steinheist and Convict Conman producers Idea Candy, the docuseries series uncovers the truth behind grooming and abuse in schools across the country, the aftermath and what government, schools and society are doing to stop abuse in its tracks.
Exploring how grooming can take place and what the lifelong effects are in the series is a team of experts in children’s rights, child protection and other legal, psychological and law enforcement areas.
Nec Aspera Terrent – Episode 1: 16 May
Childline South Africa CEO Dumisile Nala and Child Protection and Development Specialist Luke Lamprecht contribute their insights to Episode 1, which explores the suicide of 16-year-old Thomas Kruger on the grounds of the prestigious St Andrew’s College, which led to the uncovering of allegations of grooming by Thomas’s water polo coach.
Nala is a seasoned professional with a background in social work, having graduated from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Her career journey began at Childline KZN, where she dedicated four years, starting as a Social Worker and eventually rising to the role of Assistant Director.
After spending eight years in the United Kingdom, honing her expertise in various aspects of child welfare, she returned to South Africa in 2008, joining the Childline National Office as the Assistant National Director before assuming the position of Chief Executive Officer of Childline South Africa in May 2009. With her wealth of experience and dedication to child advocacy, she continues to make impactful strides in safeguarding the well-being of children nationwide.
With three decades of experience working in the non-profit and child protection sector, Luke Lamprecht is a thought leader on child protection and development. He works with children in conflict with the law, children with autism, children with behavioural challenges and psychiatric diagnoses, and children in mainstream schooling. He is an expert consultant on child protection and development; sexual abuse; and toxic masculinity. Luke has in depth understanding on the child and teenage brain and is currently completing his MSc in Neurodevelopment at WITS within the Department of Paediatrics and Pathology.
School Ties aims to bring into focus the solutions and interventions that need to be adopted to safeguard learners at schools. Although the tragedies that have occurred are heart-breaking, there is the opportunity to ensure that we review and address the systems that should be protecting learners.
School Ties premieres on M-Net (DStv Channel 101) on Thursday, 16 May at 9pm, as well as live-stream on DStv Stream, and watch it on DStv Catch Up after broadcast.
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