The majority of children reported missing in South Africa are found and returned home.

But Missing Children SA says that 23% of their cases are either classified as “yet to be found” or they find the child’s body.

While these figures are taken from one organisation assisting to find missing children, it’s still very difficult to get accurate statistics on this problem in South Africa.

Director at the Teddy Bear Clinic, Dr Shaheda Omar says that these cases are mostly under-reported, or not followed through by police.

Omar wants government to establish a child safety strategy, to reduce their vulnerability to exploitation, trafficking, and abuse, and experiencing sexual, physical and psychological violation.