Women and Men Against Child Abuse's "Kidz Clinics" treated 48 cases of rapes involving children from 5 January to 16 January, they said on Saturday.

The 37 girls and eight boys were treated at four Kidz Clinics around the country, including Alexandra township, Boksburg and Orange Farm in Gauteng, as well as in KwaZulu Natal.

"Poverty, alcohol and drug abuse were varying contributing factors in these rapes and many of the rapes were perpetrated by family members or people known to the victim," said Miranda Friedmann, director of the organisation.

"Research has shown that 90 percent of rapes go unreported, indicating that our children are under threat."

Friedmann added that "if concerted efforts are not implemented immediately to address these issues we will continue to perpetuate a cycle of violence in our country".

"We believe that a safe and secure environment is essential for South Africans to develop to their full potential and we are committed to fighting for the rights of the child and to end the abuse of children in South Africa," she said.