Koleinu SA Virtual Summit

Protecting Childhood

Child Sexual Abuse and Its Prevention

18–19 October 2026

•

Online

Two days of learning, lived experience and practical insight to strengthen prevention, support survivors and build safer communities.

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Organised by Koleinu SA

Empowering communities through education, support and safeguarding.

Keynote Leadership

Wendy Hendler

Co-Founder and Director

Rozanne Sack

Co-Founder and Director

Prevention & Safety

Survivor Support

Safer communities begin with informed action.

Protecting children takes knowledge, compassion and a shared commitment to act. This two-day virtual summit brings together perspectives from survivor advocacy, psychology, law, education and safeguarding. Explore prevention in schools and communities, online safety, survivor support and institutional accountability through a programme grounded in practical questions and real-world experience.

For those committed to protecting children

Relevant to practitioners, parents, community leaders and advocates across South Africa and worldwide.

Parents and caregivers

Educators and school leaders

Mental health & child protection professionals

Legal and justice practitioners

Religious and community leaders

Safeguarding teams and advocates

Turn understanding into informed action

Four core focus areas explored across the summit sessions.

Strengthen prevention

Explore school-based education, safeguarding and age-appropriate conversations about safety.

Understand risk and respond

Consider grooming, online exploitation, neurodivergent safeguarding needs and supportive responses to disclosure.

Support survivors with care

Hear lived experience and explore trauma-informed support, court preparation and pathways towards healing.

Build accountable communities

Examine institutional responses, cultural sensitivity and the responsibilities of organisations and leaders.

Summit Schedule

Programme

24-hour times displayed. Click on any session to expand its detailed abstract.

Parents and caregivers registering at the discounted rate are invited to attend the sessions marked Parents & Educators.

Day 1 — Prevention, Advocacy & Safeguarding

Sunday 18 October 2026

6 CPD points for completing this day

This opening keynote explores the scope of child sexual abuse, challenges common misconceptions, and highlights the roles of education, safeguarding and community responsibility in prevention. Drawing on Koleinu’s experience in prevention, survivor support and advocacy, Wendy Hendler and Rozanne Sack set the stage for the summit with practical insights and a call to help create safer communities.

Session details & abstract

Survivor, author and advocate Claudine Shiels shares her journey towards justice and accountability, as told in her memoir Walking Through Front Doors. Her session reflects on the enduring impact of childhood sexual abuse, the courage involved in disclosure, and the importance of ensuring that survivors’ experiences are heard and taken seriously.

Session details & abstract

A two-part session on supporting children through the court process. Top Dogs explores canine-assisted support for anxiety, emotional regulation and confidence. The therapeutic court preparation component addresses developmentally appropriate explanations, children’s rights, trauma responses, resilience and multidisciplinary collaboration, while emphasising preparation without coaching a child’s evidence.

Part 1: Top Dogs — Canine-assisted support

Why the criminal justice process can feel frightening; animal-assisted support for anxiety and stress; the role of therapy dogs from disclosure through court attendance; practical examples of comfort, confidence and emotional regulation.

Part 2: The therapeutic court preparation process

Preparing children without coaching evidence; developmentally appropriate explanations of court processes and rights; managing fear and trauma responses; building confidence; multidisciplinary collaboration and children’s wellbeing.

Session details & abstract

Part 1: Top Dogs — Canine-assisted support

Part 2: The therapeutic court preparation process

Lunch Interval

Take a break, reflect and rejoin for the afternoon sessions.

12:40–13:30

This session explores how faith communities can uphold their values while prioritising the safety and wellbeing of those affected by abuse. It considers cultural and religious sensitivity alongside safeguarding, with practical approaches to compassion, accountability and integrity in building safer, more supportive communities.

Session details & abstract

Rabbi Zvi Gluck and Rabbi Avi Landa examine the evidence behind school-based prevention programmes: what works, what does not, and the role of age-appropriate safety education. The session considers how schools can empower children, engage families and staff, and contribute to safer learning environments.

Session details & abstract

This session explores safeguarding approaches tailored to neurodivergent individuals. It considers practical ways to teach boundaries, recognise risk, promote healthy relationships and create more inclusive environments, while respecting individual dignity and avoiding stigma.

Session details & abstract

Drawing on lived experience and advocacy, Martin Pelders explores the long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse on boys and men. The session considers identity, relationships, emotional wellbeing and disclosure, alongside the journey from silence and shame towards healing, connection and hope.

Sarah Hoffman examines online grooming and sexual exploitation, including how digital platforms can be used to manipulate trust and boundaries. The session covers sexting, sextortion and image-based abuse, with attention to warning signs, legal implications and responses when online interactions become harmful.

Session details & abstract

Pam Tudin explores how exposure to pornography may influence young people’s developing ideas about relationships, consent, body image and intimacy. Drawing on clinical and forensic psychology and digital safety education, the session considers curiosity, patterns of exposure and potentially harmful use.

Session details & abstract

This session examines how responses to harmful sexual behaviour by children can balance accountability and rehabilitation. Luke Lamprecht explores the role of diversionary justice programmes in addressing behaviour and supporting positive long-term outcomes, while prioritising the safety and wellbeing of those harmed and the wider community.

Session details & abstract

Lunch Interval

Midday break and reflection.

13:30–14:00

Dr Shira Berkovits explores barriers that prevent institutions from responding effectively to child sexual abuse. The session examines lessons from institutional failures and practical steps organisations can take to strengthen accountability, rebuild trust and create safer environments for children.

Session details & abstract

Anne Munch examines how cultural attitudes and commonly held beliefs about victims, perpetrators and consent influence understandings of sexual assault. The session explores the assumptions that can shape community and juror responses, with particular attention to victim blaming.

This session considers the opportunities, limitations and responsibilities of religious leadership in responding to abuse. It explores the roles of rabbinical structures in promoting accountability, supporting those affected and safeguarding communities, with attention to safety, due process and wellbeing.

Session details & abstract

Expert Presenters & Advocates

Speakers & Presenting Organisations

A multidisciplinary faculty from survivor advocacy, clinical psychology, education, law, child protection and religious safeguarding.

Wendy Hendler

Co-Founder and Director, Koleinu SA

Wendy Hendler is Co-Founder and Director of Koleinu SA. Her work focuses on survivor support, abuse prevention, community education and institutional safeguarding. She works with schools, rabbis, educators, healthcare professionals and community leaders, and has helped develop SchoolSafe and ShulSafe to strengthen safeguarding in schools and synagogues.

Rozanne Sack

Co-Founder and Director, Koleinu SA

Rozanne Sack is Co-Founder and Director of Koleinu SA. She leads survivor support, prevention education, advocacy and safeguarding initiatives, working with local and international child protection professionals. Her work includes education for schools, parents, faith leaders and professionals, alongside efforts to strengthen institutional accountability and responses to abuse.

Claudine Shiels

Survivor, author and advocate

Claudine Shiels is a survivor, author and advocate for survivors of childhood sexual abuse. Her memoir, Walking Through Front Doors, shares her journey towards justice and accountability. At the summit, she reflects on disclosure, the impact of abuse and the importance of ensuring survivors’ voices are heard.

Dr Shaheda Omar

Clinical Director, Teddy Bear Foundation

Dr Shaheda Omar is Clinical Director of the Teddy Bear Foundation and a child protection specialist with extensive experience in trauma care, forensic assessment and advocacy. Her work includes multidisciplinary services for children affected by abuse, professional training, expert testimony and the development of diversion programmes for children displaying harmful sexual behaviours.

Organisation

Top Dogs

Canine-assisted support

Top Dogs presents the canine-assisted support component of Finding Courage. The session explores the role of therapy dogs in helping children manage anxiety, find comfort and build confidence during disclosure and participation in the court process.

Shana Aaronson

Executive Director, Magen for Jewish Communities

Shana Aaronson is Executive Director of Magen for Jewish Communities. Her work spans survivor advocacy, abuse prevention education and community safeguarding. She collaborates with legal, therapeutic, educational and rabbinic professionals to strengthen responses to abuse and deliver training and awareness programmes within Jewish communities.

Rabbi Zvi Gluck

CEO, Amudim

Rabbi Zvi Gluck is CEO of Amudim. At the summit, he joins Rabbi Avi Landa to examine school-based child sexual abuse prevention programmes, with a focus on age-appropriate safety education and the roles of schools, families and staff.

Rabbi Avi Landa

Director of Education, Amudim

Rabbi Avi Landa is Director of Education at Amudim. His work includes training on safety, healthy boundaries and supporting young people. At the summit, he joins Rabbi Zvi Gluck to explore the role and effectiveness of school-based child sexual abuse prevention programmes.

Rabbi Elimelech Gartner

Head of The Space; family and educational counsellor

Rabbi Elimelech Gartner is a family and educational counsellor and Head of The Space, an integrated centre for education and therapy in Johannesburg. He supports children, adolescents and families facing emotional and behavioural challenges, and teaches a compassionate, relationship-based approach to parenting, education and community support.

Martin Pelders

Founder, MatrixMen; author and survivor advocate

Martin Pelders is a South African author, speaker, survivor advocate and founder of MatrixMen, an organisation supporting male survivors of sexual abuse and trauma. Drawing on lived experience, he speaks about childhood trauma, shame, masculinity, mental health and healing. He is the author of the memoir The Pumpkin Van.

Sarah Hoffman

Attorney and Co-Founder, Klikd

Sarah Hoffman is an admitted attorney and Co-Founder of Klikd. She specialises in digital wellbeing, online safety, digital citizenship and digital parenting. Her work helps schools, families and young people navigate social media, cyberbullying and digital risk, bringing together legal insight and practical education.

Pam Tudin

Clinical and forensic psychologist; digital safety educator

Pam Tudin is a clinical and forensic psychologist and digital safety educator. Her summit session explores young people’s exposure to pornography and its implications for developing understandings of relationships, consent, body image and intimacy.

Luke Lamprecht

Child Protection and Development Specialist

Luke Lamprecht is a Child Protection and Development Specialist whose work brings together safeguarding, trauma, child development and advocacy. He leads community-based initiatives for vulnerable children and contributes to multidisciplinary child protection practice, professional training and policy development. His summit session focuses on accountability and rehabilitation for children displaying harmful sexual behaviour.

Dr Shira Berkovits

President and CEO, Sacred Spaces

Dr Shira Berkovits is a behavioural psychologist, attorney, and President and CEO of Sacred Spaces. She works with Jewish organisations to strengthen safeguarding policies, training and accountability. Her expertise includes institutional risk assessment, organisational culture, trauma-informed practice and the prevention of abuse and boundary violations.

Anne Munch

Attorney, former prosecutor and educator

Anne Munch is an attorney, former prosecutor, educator and founder of Anne Munch Consulting. She trains and advises criminal justice professionals, universities, military leaders and other organisations on trauma-informed investigations, victim-centred responses and offender accountability. Her experience spans sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse.

Dayan Rabbi Yona Reiss

Av Beth Din, Chicago Rabbinical Council

Dayan Rabbi Yona Reiss is a rabbinical judge, attorney, Torah scholar and educator. He serves as Av Beth Din of the Chicago Rabbinical Council and teaches at Yeshiva University. His work encompasses Jewish law, rabbinical court practice, mediation and communal leadership.

18–19 October 2026 · Online

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One attendee per booking.

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Questions & Information

Frequently asked questions

The summit takes place online on 18 and 19 October 2026. View the programme for individual session times.

Support & Wellbeing

Please take care of your wellbeing

The programme addresses child sexual abuse and may be difficult to engage with. Please take breaks and step away when needed. For support information, visit Koleinu SA.

This is an educational summit and does not replace individual clinical, legal or crisis support.

Protecting Childhood

Organised by Koleinu SA

Safer communities begin with informed action.

For those committed to protecting children

Turn understanding into informed action

Strengthen prevention

Understand risk and respond

Support survivors with care

Build accountable communities

Programme

Day 1 — Prevention, Advocacy & Safeguarding

Opening presentation by Koleinu SA on child sexual abuse and its prevention

A survivor’s story and journey into advocacy and victim support

Finding courage: preparing children for court through therapy and canine-assisted support

Part 1: Top Dogs — Canine-assisted support

Part 2: The therapeutic court preparation process

Navigating cultural sensitivity in responding to sexual abuse in religious communities

Can education prevent child sexual abuse? The efficacy of prevention of child sexual abuse programmes in schools

Safeguarding neurodivergent individuals — understanding vulnerability, boundaries and protection

Beyond survival — the lifelong impact of male child sexual abuse

Behind the screen — grooming, sexting and sexual exploitation in the digital age

Beyond curiosity: pornography and young minds — exposure, impact and prevention

Using diversionary justice programmes in the rehabilitation of child offenders

Institutional failures in addressing child sexual abuse: understanding the challenges and building safer communities

Rape myths on trial

Institutional failures in addressing child sexual abuse: understanding the challenges and building safer communities

Speakers & Presenting Organisations

Wendy Hendler

Rozanne Sack

Claudine Shiels

Dr Shaheda Omar

Top Dogs

Shana Aaronson

Rabbi Zvi Gluck

Rabbi Avi Landa

Rabbi Elimelech Gartner

Martin Pelders

Sarah Hoffman

Pam Tudin

Luke Lamprecht

Dr Shira Berkovits

Anne Munch

Dayan Rabbi Yona Reiss

1. Select your ticket

Frequently asked questions

Please take care of your wellbeing