The theme ‘Break the Silence – End Child Abuse’ was the driving force behind the production of the Inter-Agency Child Protection Protocol signed on 19th March by representatives from the Department of: Health; Social Development; Probation; and Education, as well as from the Royal Anguilla Police Force and the Health Authority of Anguilla. The signing took place at the Anguilla Community College. It was the culmination of an extensive process of consultation among the agencies involved, under the guidance of UNICEF.
According to Mrs Lake, from Social Development, “The Inter-Agency Child Protection Protocol provides a framework to which each agency should adhere in dealing with matters of child protection. Additionally, it provides guidance on how these important agencies interface with each other in the best interest of the child… Agencies are expected to develop internal procedures to ensure that they are able to comply with the policy and practices outlined in the protocol.”
The overall aim of the documentation is to ensure that those who are entrusted with the care of children have the necessary knowledge and skills to safeguard them. However, it would only be affective if, according to Governor Scott, “it becomes a living document that actually changes behaviour.”
