A CAPE Town community project “Beat the Kicks 2010” – launched at the weekend – aims to protect children and vulnerable adults during the 2010 Fifa World Cup against possible sexual and drug abuse.

Dr Ethelwynn Stellenberg, chairman of the Local Integrated Network of Kuils River (Link), said yesterday the project had been initiated because of concerns that the World Cup would bring with it people who would exploit children and uneducated adults.

“Link is an integrated project with the community, churches, Stellenbosch University, local government, Education and Social Services departments and police. Our launch was focused in Kuils River, but we would like Link to grow to other provinces.”

Due to unemployment and poor education, Stellenberg said, South Africans were vulnerable and liable to “grab at any opportunity that falls their way, even if it is only R1 or R2”.

“Everyone thinks of 2010 bringing with it all nice things and opportunities, but social pathologies are going to increase, such as prostitution, drugs and alcohol abuse.

“We already have these problems and everybody’s hands are full,” she said.

Stellenberg, who lectures on nursing in Stellenbosch University’s health sciences faculty, said workshops were planned with the Education Department to go into schools ahead of the World Cup to educate pupils about contraception and HIV/Aids, as well as drug and alcohol abuse.

“Statistics released recently by the Marie Stopes (abortion) clinics show a marked increase in abortions for girls between the ages of 12 and 19. Most pregnancies occur because of ignorance regarding contraception. If we don’t try to beat this problem, we are going to have a baby boom after 2010.”

Stellenberg said 2007 statistics revealed that 5,7 million people were living with HIV/Aids. Despite plans to cut this figure by half by 2011, she was concerned that the pandemic would increase.

“There are no (positive) opportunities for females for 2010. It is a sport where men follow men, and where evils such as human trafficking, and the recruitment of girls as young as 12 has already started.”

Issues discussed at the launch included sensitising communities and families about human trafficking, substance and alcohol abuse, crime and the prevention of child prostitution.