Break the Silence-End Child Abuse! The Break the Silence Initiative began in Trinidad & Tobago in 2010. It is now being rolled-out by UNICEF and partners in several countries and territories across the region. In recent years Anguilla’s Ministry and Department of Social Development have been involved in a Safeguarding Children project aimed at sensitizing and educating the population of Anguilla about Child abuse, and more importantly about how to protect our nation’s children from all forms of abuse. This rally to “Break the Silence” is one output of the Ministry’s broader project to Safeguard children in Anguilla.
The Break the Silence Initiative is a multi-pronged approach to protect children against sexual abuse and the risk of HIV. On the one had it aims to reach victims and their families with a message to speak out and denounce abuse. But at the same time, the initiative is an advocacy platform directed at policy makers, health workers and police authorities to create the protection and treatment services needed to support and care for children who are victims of abuse. Here in Anguilla we have expanded the theme of “Breaking the Silence” beyond child sexual abuse to include all kinds of abuse against children.
Child abuse is a silent emergency. The true magnitude of abuse is hidden because it happens behind closed doors. Children remain silent often because they are afraid or not sure where to turn. Child abuse is a taboo issue with too much social tolerance. The main thrust behind our public awareness campaign, is to get persons to talk about the abuse of children. Where do you go when you have a suspicion that someone is being abused? 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.
As adults, when children do come forward, we need to believe that they are telling the truth and act to protect them. Abuse is a difficult and uncomfortable matter, but we cannot stick our heads in the sand and hope that it will go away. I can assure you, IT WILL NOT! If you know or suspect a child is being abused, these suspicions MUST be reported to the Department of Social Development. The Department has persons trained to deal with matters of child abuse. The idea is to TALK and keep on talking until action is taken.
In consultation with DFID, the Ministry and Department of Social Development have developed a booklet on Safeguarding Children which provides guidelines for recognizing abuse. A uniform child abuse reporting form has also been developed so that we now have a systematic method of reporting child abuse. Most recently, the Ministry and Department have worked with UNICEL to develop an inter-agency reporting protocol to ensure that all agencies responsible for the safeguarding of children work collectively to respond to child abuse and neglect.
We must all remember that there are no innocent bystanders. Abuse has a serious impact, not only on children, but on the fabric of society. A culture of acceptance increases risks of psychological distress and maladjustment.
Good quality education contributes to the safety and wellbeing of children. For survivors of abuse, education is critical both as a right and because of the important role it plays in supporting these children reintegrate into their peer groups and wider society. Education also serves as an important way of passing on messages, raising awareness and providing skills to empower—hence the reason for this rally.
Today we commemorate Universal Children’s Day AND World Day of Prayer and Action for Children—a very fitting occasion on which to hold this rally. This Day brings together secular and faith-based organizations to work to end violence against children. Universal Children’s Day, established by the United Nations in 1954, also commemorates the 1989 adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Today is a day of reflection and a call to action for the well-being of children around the world. Today we speak out because…
SILENCE IS ACCEPTANCE-BREAK THE SILENCE, END CHILD ABUSE!!!
