As part of the Violence Prevention Forum’s ongoing sharing of evidence and practice-based knowledge, the second webinar in 2025 focused on “Online Parenting Support: Helping Millions of Caregivers Prevent Violence.”

 

This webinar showcased how digital tools are transforming parenting support, helping caregivers access guidance, resources, and peer networks at scale. Panelists discussed how childhood experiences of violence and adversity can shape later life outcomes, and highlighted the role of parenting in breaking cycles of harm. The conversation showcased how online apps and chatbots are empowering parents, offering practical strategies for preventing violence, and providing lessons on engaging caregivers effectively in the digital age.

 

The webinar showed that while raising children is challenging, innovative online support can connect parents, strengthen families, and contribute to safer communities across South Africa and beyond.

 

Read the ISS Today on this topic here.

 

 

This three-year community study shows that parenting support can reduce caregiver stress and improve children's emotional and behavioural wellbeing over time. The findings highlight a key lesson for prevention, which is that parenting programmes are most effective when paired with support that addresses mental health, substance use and family violence, reinforcing the value of integrated, community-based approaches to strengthening families. 

 

The Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance at the University of Cape Town and the Institute for Security Studies are offering this custom-designed leadership course to enable collaborative relationships across government and civil society stakeholders working to address domestic violence and rape. This course builds leadership capacity to facilitate systemic change and ensure equitable, appropriate, quality services for survivors and their families.

 

The learning journey is practical and experiential, fostering critical and strategic thinking, problem-solving, and relationship building to strengthen collaboration. The ultimate intention is to ensure survivors receive compassionate, linked-up services.

 

Target audience
This course is designed for middle and top management officials in government (South African Police Services, Department of Justice, National Prosecuting Authority, Department of Health, Department of Social Development), NGOs, and funding institutions in the GBV sector.

 

Closing date: 13 February 2026 at 16:00 (SAST)

Read more: here

 

Successful candidates will be notified by email by 13 March 2026.

For queries, please contact: veleska.maphike@uct.ac.za   

 

The SVRI Forum 2026 is inviting researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to submit abstracts for consideration. This is your opportunity to share evidence, insights, and innovations that contribute to the prevention and response to violence against women and children.Submissions should clearly highlight objectives, methodology, key findings, and implications for practice, policy, or research.

 

Accepted abstracts will be featured in the Forum programme, providing global visibility for your work and an opportunity to engage with a wide network of experts. Ensure your submission follows the guidelines carefully to maximize the chances of acceptance and to contribute meaningfully to the Forum’s dialogue.

 

Closing date: 30 January 2026

Read more: here 

Register: here

 

This South African study asked children aged 6–17 about their experiences of violence, their beliefs, and how it affects their mental health. Many reported emotional and physical abuse from caregivers, repeated peer violence, and exposure to community harm. Younger children were more likely to experience physical abuse and peer harm, while adolescents reported higher levels of emotional distress and suicidality. The study shows that violence at home, in schools, and in communities is closely linked to poorer mental health outcomes. By listening to children’s voices, we can design prevention and support strategies that truly meet their needs and create safer, healthier environments for all children.