Report the concern immediately
Any person who reasonably believes that a child needs protection must report it to a police officer or social worker in the district where the child lives.
Child Welfare & Protection
Every child
deserves safety.
Any person can raise the alarm when a child may be in danger.
Choose Your Next Step
If You Are A Child
It is not
your fault.
Tell someone who can help.
If someone is hurting, threatening, exploiting or neglecting you, call Childline Botswana on 116, call Police on 999 if the danger is immediate, or tell a teacher, relative, social worker, police officer or another adult you trust. You may keep telling trusted adults until someone helps.
You deserve to be heard, treated with dignity and protected from further harm.
The Duty To Protect
Concern is enough
to make a report.
You do not need proof, and you do not need the caregiver's consent. Do not confront a suspected abuser or place yourself or the child at greater risk. Report what you reasonably believe to police or a social worker.
Authorities investigate
Police or a social worker must investigate. They may speak to the child without first informing a caregiver where notice could jeopardise the investigation or expose the child to harm.
Safety comes before permission
A report may be anonymous. A good-faith reporter is protected, and police or a social worker may remove a child to a place of safety when immediate harm is likely.
The Children's Court can protect
The court may make care, supervision, interim, exclusion and other orders needed to protect the child or advance their well-being.
How Morima Can Help
We help responsible adults act lawfully and without delay.
Help record the facts and preserve relevant information without coaching the child.
Support a report to police, a social worker or another appropriate authority.
Prepare urgent court papers and approach the Children's Court where the law permits.
Represent the child or another interested person where legally authorised and refer the matter to specialist services.
A private person or law firm cannot simply remove a child or assume guardianship. Emergency removal is a power exercised by police or a social worker, and longer-term care or representation depends on the law and appropriate court authority.
Related Child And Family Law
Adoption ActGoverns applications to adopt children in Botswana, including the role of the Magistrates' Court and social-welfare reports.Cap 28:01Deserted Wives and Children ActProvides a court route for a neglected spouse and children to seek support from a person with the means and legal duty to maintain them.Cap 28:03Maintenance Order Enforcement ActSupports enforcement of maintenance obligations and orders for children and other dependants in Botswana.Cap 29:04
The Governing Law
Act No. 8 of 2009 / Cap. 28:04
Children's Act, 2009
Read sections 25 and 42–44 for sexual-abuse reporting, children in need of protection, reporting duties, investigation and immediate safety powers.
Immediate Response
Start with the
right authority.
Childline BotswanaFree child helpline for children and concerned adults. Current published hours extend until 11 p.m.116Botswana Police ServiceCall immediately when a child is in immediate danger or a crime may be taking place.999District social workerReport to a social worker in the district where the child lives.Find government servicesMagistrates' / Children's CourtA member of the public may approach the local Magistrates' Court for child-protection assistance.Court guidance
Preparing To Ask For Guidance
Record facts without questioning the child.
Note what was seen, heard or disclosed in the child's own words.
Keep relevant messages or documents without circulating them.
Record which authority was contacted and when.
Do not delay an urgent report while gathering information, and do not confront a suspected abuser.
Ongoing Support
Emang Basadi Women's AssociationBotswana women's human-rights organisation providing advocacy, legal-aid and counselling support.Ditswanelo — Botswana Centre for Human RightsHuman-rights organisation providing rights information, advocacy and support referrals in Botswana.Bana Ba Letsatsi TrustMaun-based rehabilitation and support centre for orphaned, vulnerable and at-risk children and youth.Bana Ba Metsi SchoolNorth-West Botswana school supporting at-risk boys through education, rehabilitation and practical skills development.BOCONGOBotswana Council of Non-Governmental Organisations, a national civil-society coordination and capacity-building network.SOS Children's Villages BotswanaAlternative care, family strengthening and support for children who have lost or risk losing parental care.Stepping Stones InternationalChild and youth empowerment, family enrichment and child-protection advocacy.UNICEF BotswanaNational child-rights, protection and social-services information and programmes.
Related legal services
Legal Information
This page provides general information, not advice for a specific matter. If a child may be in danger, do not wait for a legal consultation—call Police on 999, Childline Botswana on 116, or contact a district social worker immediately.