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Atheletes Against
Child Abuse

The Jasriel Foundation

Children should be free to participate in sport in a healthy, safe environment free of discrimination, abuse, or sexual violence!

Report Abuse Today

Children should be free to participate in sport in a healthy, safe environment free of discrimination, abuse, or sexual violence. It is the duty of all adults to ensure that our children are safe and protected from harm. If you would like to report an incident of abuse or even suspected abuse, please be so kind and fill in the form below. Anonymous reporting makes our job very difficult but aaca undertakes to ensure that all of your personal details will be kept confidential and will be protected.
Click Here to Report Abuse

What The Jasriel Foundations Does

We know from our South African experience and international research, that children’s sport is an occupation that attracts people who may abuse children. The abuse in sport dynamic is largely due to the access that coaches have to children often without other adult supervision. Sport often involves physical contact with children that is not possible in any other teaching profession. This is the “socially sanctioned deviance in sport” where certain behaviours by coaches are accepted in this context, where it would not be in a broader social context. the jasriel foundation athletes against child abuse (aaca) is a first in South Africa! A victim-centric organisation run by survivors for survivors! We are proud to announce that we have been recognised internationally and are talking to several organisations, including FIFA based, in the USA and Europe regarding Safeguarding of our children in sport.

Education & Prevention

- Collaborate with existing organisations, develop and implement holistic and proactive safeguarding policies and best practice with sporting bodies.
- Share lived experience, educate and implement through workshops for children, parents, officials, teachers and administrators.
- Implementation of Safeguarding policies in particular vetting, police clearance and certification to registered sporting bodies.
- Inform and empower victims of the procedures and resources available to them so they know they have a “safety net” that will listen and fight for their rights.
- Facilitate registration, certification, education and police clearance of sport coaches and administrators.

Advocacy

- To be a voice of children’s rights and campaigning for justice for victims of child abuse in sport.
- Raising awareness around current and historical abuse, and its long-term effects.
- Actively campaigning in media to bring attention to inadequate systems and procedures around safeguarding of children in sport.
- Lobbying for changes to laws specifically Section 110 of the Children’s Act to Coaches added.
- Not letting cases “fall through the cracks”.
- Ensure there is a clear distinction between criminal and other disciplinary cases in sporting bodies constitutions.
- Hold sporting bodies “accountable” for the implementation of the Child Protection Policy.

Victim Support

- Lived experience.
- A safe, neutral support mechanism without reprisal or influence and a growing network of partners.
- Comprehensive practical guide to the process from “victim to survivor”.
- An extensive, existing network of professionals including, amongst others SAPS Sexual Offenses Units, NPA, Specialist Legal through Afriforum, psychologists and councillors.
- Physical, psychological and emotional support pre and during all legal procedures and proceedings

In this complex, often seemingly unmanageable child protection system, the jasriel foundation aaca has access to a comprehensive basket of services through an existing infrastructure and a network of  local and international collaborations in the above areas.

We Appreciate Your Donation

STANDARD BANK
Account holder: JASRIEL FOUNDATION NPC
ID/Reg Number: 2023/004084/08
Account type: CURRENT
Account number: 10200536093
Branch: PRETORIA
Branch code: 051001
SWIFT code: SBZA ZA JJ

Kids Saved

Since

Reports

Team Members

Olivia Jasriel - Founding Member- In Loving Memory

Olivia played international tennis in her youth and is still actively involved in the sport. She is an international icon and trailblazer for historical abuse cases having successfully gained 2 rape and 1 indecent assault of minor’s convictions against disgraced tennis player Bob Hewitt in 2015. This led to other victims of historical abuse coming forward and ultimately the abolition of the 20-year statute of limitations in 2018. Olivia, with her team of attorneys from The Reeva Rebecca Steenkamp Foundation successfully overturned one parole application and one parole before Bob Hewitt was granted parole 3 years and 6 months after he started serving his 6 year sentence.

She has worked tirelessly, in her personal capacity with wmaca and various other organisations over the past 13 years to bring sexual predators in the sporting fraternity to justice. She has extensive experience in the lodging of cases and court process of both current and historical abuse cases.

 In 2021, Olivia was elected to serve SASCOC Safeguarding Policy and Education Working Group at South African Sport Confederation and Olympic Committee.  In 2022 Olivia was voted in as a Board Member for SASCA (the South Africa Sports Coaching Association) Olivia’s story offers victims and survivors a first-hand account of courage, hope and inspiration and she is a fearless voice for change in the sports world where abuse is rife. Olivia brings to the jasriel foundation lived experience, a unique set of skills, which includes extensive training on safeguarding of children and a vision to challenge and change the current system to ensure that children are safe to enjoy sport in an environment free of abuse.

Mac Cass (Board Member)

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Meet Mac, the resilient Operations Manager and Director at the Jasriel Foundation, where his journey from the pitch to advocacy embodies the spirit of overcoming adversity. Born in 1993, Mac's early years were marked by his passion for sports, excelling notably in provincial baseball and as a promising goalkeeper for Mamelodi Sundowns Development Soccer. However, fate dealt him a harsh blow when a severe concussion during a rugby match in 2008 forced him to retire from both soccer and baseball. Undeterred, Mac redirected his determination towards a new goal – championing the rights of abused children in sport.
Educated at Jeppe High School for Boys on a soccer scholarship, Mac's sporting progess was evident early on. Despite the setback of injury, his resilience shone through as he embarked on a journey of self-healing and advocacy. 

Now, as the Operations Manager and Director at the Jasriel Foundation, Mac brings his unique perspective and unwavering commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of young athletes. In addition to his role at the Jasriel Foundation, Mac is also a trained private security personnel and bodyguard, providing protection services to individuals and organizations. Furthermore, he is a certified life coach, empowering victims of abuse to navigate their journey towards healing and justice.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Mac finds solace and strength in activities like boxing, padel, and gym workouts, embodying a holistic approach to both his personal and professional life. With a story of triumph over adversity, Mac stands as a beacon of hope and resilience, inspiring others to rise above challenges and make a difference in the lives of those in need.

Ashleigh Smit: Governance & Administrative Powerhouse

The Jasriel Foundation is proud to have Ashleigh Smit on board, overseeing governance as our dedicated Company Secretary. With a multifaceted role, Ashleigh also manages our social media presence and handles administration tasks with finesse.
A budding Chartered Secretary, Ashleigh is currently pursuing her Chartered Secretary Degree through the Chartered Governance Institute of Southern Africa (CGISA). Now in her 4th year, Ashleigh's academic pursuits have equipped her with a solid foundation in governance practices.
With 5 years of experience in the field, Ashleigh has honed her skills working at Mazars Plettenberg Bay, which has since become Ferreira and Partners Inc Chartered Accountants. 

Her expertise has been a valuable asset to our Foundation, ensuring we maintain the highest standards of governance. We're grateful to have Ashleigh on our team, bringing her expertise, enthusiasm, and dedication to the Jasriel Foundation. Her commitment to governance excellence and administrative efficiency has been instrumental in our Foundation's growth and success.

Wayne van Onselen (Executive Director of Unchain Our Children)

For more than a decade he operates in the eye of the storm, assisting in the combat against child prostitution, child abuse, human trafficking and other violations.Carrying the sword and the shield of a Warrior, saving children from abuse, neglect, abandonment, and exploitation.

His fearlessness and confidence precede him. Nothing and nobody can stop his pursuit of rescuing children. His strength and humility are evident in his deep reverence of his Godly calling in 2013 when Unchain Our Children was founded.
Over many years, people, in their deepest desperation, already disillusioned by too many disappointments and failures to save themselves, called on him. He gave them hope, such as they never have experienced.
His action changed their circumstances. He commands action and soon the tide changes and tears turn to tremendous joy when children’s best interests are served.
His Operatives team stand in solidarity with him and together the team conquers many challenges in solving countless cases, serving with him in the trenches to stop the tyranny of child exploitation. Daily he steps into the survival journey of victims of violence. He lights the road with fire of compassion and empathy – a Voice for the voiceless. His leadership and enthusiasm are known and respected far and wide. He has shown that caring isn’t just a duty but a lifestyle. And, reaching, rescuing, and restoring should be a way of life, not an occasional act of kindness. Since 2022, Unchain Our Children has been collaborating with The Jasriel Foundation, nationally and internationally in a joint effort to encourage survivors to report exploitation without fear, resulting in excellent outcomes, celebrating Olivia’s tremendous dedication.

Wayne van Onselen: 072 364 8246

Unchain Our Children National Crisis Centre: 067 323 7116

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/UnchainOurChildren

something to ponder

A thought from our Founder, Olivia Jasriel -

“imagine if you are afraid to report, how terrified a child would be to report!”.  The biggest fear a child has when reporting is that of not being believed.  I would like to assure any children or adults who want to report any form of abuse, and I have been through the process of reporting personally, I completely respect the emotions that come with the reporting and I have the utmost respect and admiration for any person who reports a crime of abuse, harassment or sexual misconduct.

Report Abuse Today

Children should be free to participate in sport in a healthy, safe environment free of discrimination, abuse, or sexual violence. It is the duty of all adults to ensure that our children are safe and protected from harm. If you would like to report an incident of abuse or even suspected abuse, please be so kind and fill in the form below. Anonymous reporting makes our job very difficult but aaca undertakes to ensure that all of your personal details will be kept confidential and will be protected.
Click Here to Report Abuse
Download Safeguarding Policy
Courtesy of sportsvoice.org