Teddy Bear Foundation

The Teddy Bear Foundation (TBF) — formerly known as The Teddy Bear Clinic — has been at the forefront of child protection in South Africa since 1986, when it was founded in direct response to an urgent need for medical examinations for children who had been sexually abused. For nearly 40 years, it has grown from a single clinic into a nationally recognised, award-winning child protection organisation with a fully integrated, holistic model: medical, therapeutic, legal, educational, and preventive — all under one roof, free of charge.

Led by Clinical Director Dr Shaheda Omar — who has shaped national and international child protection policy, trained at Johns Hopkins University, and who represents child survivors at the highest levels of government and law — the Teddy Bear Foundation is regarded as South Africa's foremost child abuse specialist. In 2025, TBF won a landmark court case compelling the Minister of Justice to properly maintain the National Sex Offender Register — a critical child protection victory with nationwide implications.

Their vision is clear and uncompromising: Child Abuse No More.

What They Offer Child Survivors and Their Families

Medico-Legal Clinic at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital TBF's specialist Medico-Legal Clinic is based within Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital in Parktown. A multidisciplinary team of paediatricians, doctors, forensic nurses, social workers, and volunteers conducts forensic medical examinations for children who have been abused or neglected. These examinations form the evidential basis for court proceedings — conducted with utmost care to minimise trauma to the child.

Forensic Assessments and Psychological Testing Formal forensic assessments and psychological evaluations are conducted for child survivors — providing clinical documentation that is essential to prosecution and to the child's therapeutic journey.

Trauma-Focused Therapeutic Services A full range of specialised therapies are available for child survivors and their non-offending caregivers, including: play therapy, art therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy, and family sessions. Therapy helps children process what happened to them in age-appropriate ways and supports their long-term healing.

Court Preparation Programme TBF's court preparation programme supports children and families from the moment they enter the child protection system through every stage of the often-lengthy legal process and beyond — including post-court debriefing. Children are prepared to give testimony without being re-traumatised, and families are given the knowledge, tools, and emotional support to navigate the justice system.

SPARC — Support Programme for Abuse Reactive Children For children who have developed harmful sexual behaviours as a result of having been abused themselves, TBF's SPARC diversion programme offers rehabilitation rather than criminalisation — giving young people a second chance while stopping the cycle of abuse. This is an accredited programme recognised by the courts.

SAFE Programme — Schools Prevention SAFE (Safety Awareness For Everyone) is TBF's school-based prevention model — educating over 40,000 children annually about body autonomy, boundaries, healthy relationships, and how to speak up safely if something happens. SAFE has a protocol training manual for teachers and includes the Bear Hugs programme for young children using puppets to teach about personal safety.

SeVISSA — Sexual Violence in Schools A specialist programme addressing sexual violence in school environments — training educators and creating zero-tolerance environments for sexual violence in schools.

Teen Moms Programme For teenage mothers in township schools, TBF provides information about sexual reproductive health, links them to supportive services, and works to prevent school dropout.

GBV Prevention — Men and Boys Engagement TBF runs targeted programmes engaging boys and men to challenge harmful masculinity, challenge norms that enable GBV, and build a generation of allies for gender justice.

WhatsApp and Online Support TBF extends some services via WhatsApp and online platforms — helping reach children and families who cannot physically access their Johannesburg offices.

The Teddy Bear Foundation is based in Johannesburg. All services are free of charge. If you are a parent or caregiver of a child who has been abused, contact them via teddybearfoundation.org.za or visit the Medico-Legal Clinic at Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital.