Government shines spotlight on child abuse
THE DEPARTMENT OF PROBATION AND CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES IS SHINING THE SPOTLIGHT on child abuse this week to commemorate Child Abuse Prevention Week in St. Kitts and Nevis.
Child Abuse Prevention Week ends Friday.
Junior Minister responsible for Social Development and Gender Affairs, Isalean Phillip, in a televised aid authorities continue to receive troubling reports of child abuse in the twin-island Federation.
“The Ministry of Social Development and Gender Affairs intends to increase awareness of this serious issue throughout the week, and beyond, by highlighting child abuse prevention strategies, strengthening alliances with community groups and stakeholders, and creating new partnerships.”
This three-prong strategy “will ultimately lead to communities that provide safer environments for children and facilitate their holistic inclusion,” Minister Phillip anticipated.
In her televised address she challenged adults to familiarise themselves with the signs and symptoms of child abuse so that safety for children can be increased.
“Parents with greater support systems tend to be more resilient, less isolated and therefore more likely to provide safer home environments for children,” Phillip stressed.
“As such, we must provide support for parents and families not only in the household but also in the workplace by seeking to implement family-friendly policies that encourage family cohesion,” the minister said, encouraged grown-ups to get more involved in volunteerism to help defend children.
Some options for adults include becoming scout leaders; teaching culinary arts to children; reading children’s stories at local libraries, or teaching a Sunday school class.
“Having adults involved in these activities ensures that children are not only properly supervised but are also actively engaged in positive ways that help in growing their confidence and advancing their development,” Phillip counselled.
As part of the week of activities, Department of Probation and Child Protection Services staff appear on various media outlets to help raise child abuse prevention awareness.
On Wednesday, staff read to children attending public preschools. Today there is a parenting workshop, and on Friday will be the ‘Go Blue Day’ celebration.
‘Go Blue Day’ honours the Blue Bear, the universal symbol of child sexual abuse awareness.
