The above was the theme of a touching rally at the Ronald Webster Park on Tuesday morning this week in commemoration of Universal Children’s Day and World Day of Prayer and Action for Children, 2013. The pavilion was crowded by third and fourth grade students from the six public primary schools, members of the public and government officials. The officials included Governor Christina Scott, Chief Minister and Minister of Social Development, Hubert Hughes, other Ministry and Department representatives, and personnel from the Department of Education.
Mrs Jacqueline Jeffrey-Connor, Education Officer Multi-professional Services, who delivered the welcome remarks, stated in part: “In observation of such a day, we are called as a society to consider a greater response to the plight of millions of children around world who are denied the basic necessities of a happy childhood and the education to develop their capabilities. It also calls us to consider those conditions in society which affect the lives and future of our own children. Indeed, this Break the Silence: End Child Abuse campaign focuses on protecting children against all forms of child abuse. The campaign’s main goal is awareness to the issue of child abuse and to send a strong message that speaking out is the first step to seeking help.”
Governor Christina Scott stressed that there was a need to energetically, and with determination, support young people especially those who were abused and suffering the most. She observed that professionals had a vital role to play, but that there was a need “to break out of bureaucratic ways of working to generate better results across different organisations.” She urged all persons to join the rallying call to break the silence and to end child abuse. The full text of the Governor’s address is published elsewhere in this edition of The Anguillian.
Chief Minister Hughes described child abuse as a silent emergency. He was of the view that the true magnitude of abuse was hidden because of its occurrence behind closed doors, and the fact that children remained silent because of fear. “Where do you go when you have a suspicion that someone is being abused?” He went on. “If you are being abused, tell a trusted adult – a parent, a teacher, a counsellor. And if for some reason you are not believed, tell someone else until you find someone who believes you.” Mr Hughes’ address is printed elsewhere in this newspaper.
Acting Superintendent of Police, Emris Rogers, stated in part: “Child abuse is more than just bruises or broken bones. While physical abuse is shocking, due to the scars it leaves, not all child abuse is obvious. Ignoring children’s needs, keeping them in dangerous, unsupervised situations or making a child feel worthless or stupid, are also forms of child abuse. Regardless of the type of child abuse, the result is serious and has emotional harm. Child abuse can be categorised as physical abuse, sexual abuse and emotional abuse…
“I would like to mention some pointers that can assist in breaking the silence on child abuse: creating an awareness of child abuse; educating parents and the public on the topic of child abuse – and what are some of the signs; speaking out against acts of child abuse and reporting any matter of child abuse to the police.”
Mrs Daphne Hodge, Director of Family and Social Services, delivered a message from Ms Khin-Sandi Lwin, the UNICEF Representative for the Eastern Caribbean area. Ms Lwin listed three of the main challenges facing the Caribbean region. These were identified as being the high incidence of child abuse, including sexual abuse; the current economic situation exposing an increasing number of children to poverty; and the continued sanctioning of corporal punishment as a key disciplinary tool in schools and homes.
Others who participated in the event were Rev Lindsay Richardson, a Counsellor at Her Majesty’s Prison who delivered the Opening Prayer; Josie-Ann Richardson and Jevonne Vanterpool both from the Department of Social Development who served as joint chairpersons; Tashanta Brooks, a Counsellor at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School who gave a touching performance of child abuse; Amethyst Davis, Miss Anguilla 2013-2014, who presented “Spoken Word”, another delivery citing child abuse; two members of the “All Ah Wee” Young Theatre Players who gave a dance performance; and Dr Bonnie Richardson-Lake, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Social Development, who gave the Vote of Thanks.
