In the aftermath of the devastating double homicide that shook Anguilla almost a month ago, on 9th May 2025, the national mood has shifted from collective grief to deeper reflection. As the shock fades, a quieter crisis remains — one that has long existed in the shadows: the hidden trauma suffered by children affected by violence, and the emotional burden placed on those working to protect them.
At the centre of this ongoing fight is Ms. Brittany Christopher, Child Protection Lead at the Department of Social Development and National Youth Ambassador Corps member. In a candid conversation with The Anguillian, she offers an unflinching look at the emotional and systemic challenges involved in safeguarding Anguilla’s most vulnerable.
Ms. Christopher hadn’t initially planned to become a social worker. But a temporary placement at the Family and Social Services Unit changed everything.
“It afforded me the opportunity to see how many persons you can touch and support through the services the Department provides,” she shares. “Sometimes it’s really tough. But when you connect with someone who wants to do the work, and you see them get better – it’s fulfilling.”
Her work now focuses primarily on child protection — shielding young people from physical, emotional, sexual, and verbal abuse, as well as neglect. But advocacy alone isn’t always enough when the system itself is struggling.
A major obstacle is the lack of infrastructure. Anguilla has only one designated safe space for children — and it primarily accommodates girls. For boys over the age of ten, there’s no dedicated placement.
“We’ve been advocating for similar infrastructure for young men,” Ms. Christopher says. “Unfortunately, there are cases where we’re not able to place them anywhere because of limited resources. And that, in some instances, is not the best result for the child.”
Mental health support is another critical gap. There is currently only one clinical psychologist serving the entire island. While the Department of Social Development can refer clients for counselling, they are only allocated a limited number of sessions.
“Social workers are also expected to provide counselling,” Ms. Christopher explains. “But as you can imagine, ongoing or extensive counselling is difficult for us to manage with our caseloads. We’re left in this impossible place of picking and choosing who gets help.”
As a result, children showing signs of trauma — behavioural issues, substance abuse, or emotional distress — often go without proper support.
So, what does trauma look like in children? “Change in behaviour is a big one. Some become withdrawn. Others act out, become promiscuous, or start drinking. It’s all a cry for help. But it’s subtle,” she says. “Too often, adults label these children as ‘troublesome’ instead of recognising the deeper issues at play.”
The trauma doesn’t stop with the children. Social workers absorb it, too. “It’s difficult not to feel what they’re feeling. It can really mess with you emotionally,” she admits.
Support systems for frontline workers are virtually non-existent. Confidentiality requirements mean they can’t speak openly outside the Department. So, they lean on each other — engaging in what Ms. Christopher calls “trauma ping-pong.” “Some days you manage, other days you just suppress it. But either way, it sits there.”
Despite the strain, the Department continues to press forward — through the safe house, foster care services, family mediation, and referrals for counselling. But Ms. Christopher believes true progress depends on shifting from crisis response to early prevention.
“We want to do more. But the lack of resources means we’re always stuck reacting. It’s hard to get ahead of the problem when you’re buried in the fallout.”
Still, there are bright spots. Over the past year, the Department has conducted more than 30 educational sessions in schools, churches, and community groups — a step toward awareness and long-term prevention.
Yet service gaps persist — particularly for girls. While Zenaida Haven offers a juvenile rehabilitation space for boys, there’s no equivalent facility for girls.
“We’ve had young females come to our attention in need of active intervention, but because of their behaviour and the lack of infrastructure, we couldn’t place them. That’s something that really needs addressing,” Ms. Christopher says.
Beyond her work in the department, Ms. Christopher also serves as a National Youth Ambassador — a role that expands her ability to advocate for change. “It gave me access to a platform that helps connect with other young persons – diverse in mindset and skills. And it also allows me to learn about different opportunities I can connect back to the ones I work with in the field.”
Through this role, she’s been able to help several young people access developmental programmes and hopes to assist more. “Being an Ambassador gives me a stronger voice to speak up on behalf of others and myself, and to raise awareness about the complexity and sensitivity of the issues we face in social work.”
She says one of the most meaningful aspects of the programme is its influence on policymaking. “In my profession, you see where there is a lack of diverse voices reflected in policy. That can limit you and the progress of programmes. So being part of a platform that gathers insights from youth and shares it with decision-makers – it shows you can make a little impact just by doing what you’re doing.”
Looking ahead, Ms. Christopher hopes to see more psychologists, better-trained specialists, an additional safe house for boys, a juvenile rehabilitation facility for girls, early intervention initiatives, and above all, consistent funding to support the work.
Until then, she and her colleagues will keep showing up, even under pressure. “Sometimes it’s just being there,” she says. “Even if we can’t do everything, adding a little value to a child’s life – especially when they’ve experienced trauma – can make all the difference.”
