Uphephe - Be Safe!

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​As part of its ongoing work to integrate ICT (information & communication technology) into early crime prevention, CJCP has developed a mobile-friendly platform that will allow child victims of crime to access services. The purpose of the platform is to ensure that those children who choose not to make formal reports can still access services such as counselling and support. 


This platform is called “Uphephe”, which means “be safe” in Zulu. Uphephe is Umhlali’s online platform to link child victims of violence with local service providers 24 hours a day. The platform links children using keyword algorithms. The platform does not track any identifying details of the child using the site. 

Once the child has entered basic information on age, gender and nearest major town, the platform generates a list of the nearest service provider addresses, working hours, landline, email address and emergency 24 number (if they have one).  This list can then be printed out or emailed as a PDF

We launched Uphephe during Child Protection Week from the 27 May – 2 June 2016.
The platform works as follows:
  1. The child accesses the platform via a cellphone or the internet.
  2. The child enters non-identifying information, such as age, gender, location and what has happened to them.
  3. The child also indicates what steps they have taken to date regarding being victimised.
  4. The child clicks "enter".
  5. The platform matches the child with their nearest service provider, using a keyword-matching algorithm.
  6. The child is then in a position to make contact with the listed services providers in their own time.
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Service providers can register by completing the online form. There are no costs to registering.  

Uphephe Poster

You can also download the Uphephe poster, which contains the above explanation in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa in one page.

Uphephe PDF poster
Uphephe JPEG poster