Judy Wilson, CEO of Rainbow Rescue, has slammed governments—past and present—for failing to protect our nation’s children. Wilson said that both the People’s National Movement and the People’s Partnership have failed to provide intervention for children in need of care and protection, ensuring that they are nurtured, protected, supported and empowered. “Governments after governments have done nothing meaningful for our children. It’s just like window dressing. Children are not a priority for the Government.”
Wilson said the time has come for this Government to get the Children’s Authority Act fully proclaimed and the Children’s Authority of T&T operational. Established in 2009, the authority is a child-centred, family-focused organisation that advocates for the rights of children. Almost four years in office, Wilson said the PP has not lifted one finger to protect our children, many of whom have lost their lives under horrific and gruesome circumstances.
She said after a child’s life is snuffed out, citizens make a big hue and cry. But days later, the child is forgotten. The Belmont-based caregiver was one of several people who slammed the Government for failing to act in the interest of our children after the discovery of six-year-old Keyana Cumberbatch’s decomposed body in her home at Building 5, Maloney Gardens, on Thursday. Keyana, who died of massive cerebral trauma, was sexually assaulted by her killer.
‘Mothers must get their prority right’
Wilson also made a passionate plea to single mothers to get their priorities right for the sake of their children. Wilson said too many women were getting involved in relationships that did more harm than good for the family unit. Yesterday the Congress of the People, a member of the PP, called for stronger protection of our children, while the Catholic Commission for Social Justice pleaded with citizens to stand up for the rights of the nation’s children.
Child activist and former government minister Verna St Rose-Greaves disrupted Parliament on Friday, shouting that Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar had failed the nation’s children. She said it could no longer be business as usual.
PM—enough is enough
Persad-Bissessar in a press release issued on Friday stated that the murder of Keyana was a tragedy that was simply too horrific to imagine. The PM stated that her thoughts and prayers were with Keyana’s family. “But as Prime Minister, I will not allow this to happen to our children. I will not allow it to continue, enough is enough! And to the one who is responsible for this crime or any crime such as this, we will find you, and we will punish you,” the release stated.
Playing politics with the nation’s children
Former attorney general Ramesh Lawrence Maharaj said yesterday that the PM’s tough talk came 13 years too late. Maharaj said that in 1998 there was a public consultation on the issue of protecting children. “We passed the Children’s Authority Act in 2000. It was felt at that time that children needed protection, and that the Children’s Authority would have had wide ranging powers in communities and nationally to take the necessary steps.”
The act was passed in both Houses, Maharaj said, and only had to be proclaimed when the PNM went into office. That did not happen. He said the legislation was part of a package which included the Children’s Community Residences Foster Care and Nurseries Act of 2000. “So it was recognised by the public that it needed these laws to protect children.” However, Maharaj said when the PNM came into office in 2007 they asked for new laws, and “they went through the whole process again.”
The Opposition UNC, Maharaj said, “led by Kamla at that time, took the position that all that was needed was a single process to do whatever amendments were needed and implement the law.” This, too, fell by the wayside. During the run-up to the 2010 general election campaign, the UNC condemned the PNM administration for wasting time and not implementing the act. Almost four years later, Maharaj said, the PP has not implemented the act.
“The Government has not regarded the children as a priority, but they are prepared to cry crocodile tears. This is total incompetence.”
PNM, UNC had 13 years to implement the act
Maharaj said both the UNC and PNM had 13 years to implement the act. “But this Government should share the most blame for having condemned the PNM and then doing the same thing,” he added. Maharaj said when he examined the act of 2000 and current act “there is not much of a difference. So what they have done really is a lot of politicking.” He said when an act is passed it is merely to put in place institutions.
“So that cannot take four years to implement. I think there is no political will and management.” Maharaj said mid-December was sufficient time for the Government to implement the act.
Act will be fully proclaimed by February—De Coteau
Gender, Youth and Child Development Minister Clifton De Coteau, meanwhile, has promised that by February 2014 the Children’s Authority Act would be fully proclaimed. De Coteau gave the assurance on Friday. “By February the act will be fully proclaimed,” he promised. “It is really a sad day for us in Trinbago. I could feel the pain. This situation is really unfortunate,” De Coteau said, commenting on the death of Keyana.
It was reported that the act was not been fully proclaimed because some children’s homes disagreed with parts of the legislation, fearing it would take away their autonomy and give the authority complete control over them. De Coteau said while it was easy to get angry and point fingers at the authority and the Government, “we have laws for other things as well, and people blatantly break these laws.” De Coteau said his ministry was doing its part to help parents, in particular single mothers.
“We are looking at communities and the general care of children.” Asked what provisions his ministry had put in place to assist distressed single mothers, De Coteau said there are six safe houses women can go to when faced with problems in their relationships or marriages. He admitted that the community residences that were also set up to protect vulnerable mothers and children needed to be advertised. “Honestly, it appears to be one of the best kept secret.”
Given the circumstances, De Coteau said, “we always have to try and improve situations.” De Coteau also said some single mothers sometimes end up in a relationship “thinking that this person is the right choice, when they are not.”
Browne: UNC record very poor
Almost three years after the Prime Minister promised to leave no stones unturned to protect our children, nothing has changed. Our children continue to be slaughtered. The observation was made by Diego Martin Central MP and former minister of social development Dr Amery Browne on Friday.
Browne recalled that in 2011 the PM had attended the funeral of Daniel Guerra, eight, who was brutally murdered after he went missing. Daniel’s body was found in a flood-swollen river at Tarouba, San Fernando. Three autopsies were done on Daniel’s body, the last showing that he died from homicidal asphyxia.
In tears at Daniel’s family home, Persad-Bissessar begged parents to protect their young ones. She even said that the Government must leave no stones unturned to bring the monster to justice, even if it means bringing in international expertise. “Since then, many children have been innocently slaughtered, we’ve had no update on Daniel, and we’ve had no implementation of any of the promises made at that time.”
Detective Constable Darwin Ghourlalal, who was charged with Daniel’s murder, walked out of the San Fernando Magistrates Court a free man a few months ago. “It is sad that our children remain at risk. This country is not safe for children. That is clear,” Browne said. “Many decades after T&T signed the Convention on the Rights of the Child there are still steps required of us, as a State and society, to make this place fit for children.”
Browne said while the UNC took issue with the Children’s Authority and the Children’s Bill while the PNM was in power, “unfortunately their record has been very poor.” Browne said in 2009 the Children’s Authority Act was partially proclaimed in Parliament to allow for the immediate appointment of a Children’s Authority board, recruitment of staff and facilities. It was projected that by 2011 the authority would have been fully established, but that never happened.
“We have recognised the role for a strong national agency to take the lead in this particular matter beyond all the politics and posturing that occurred in the past. I am fully in support of any steps that can be taken to get this authority up to speed.” Last April hundreds marched in solidarity for abused and murdered children in T&T. Browne said the slow implementation of the act over the years had impacted several administrations.
• He said, however, the public must get more involved in advocating for a system that can help create a safer environment for children.
“The public must have greater responsibility within their own homes, organisations and communities to increase awareness of the signs of danger.”
•Parents must also not shun from their responsibility, Browne said.
“There are some things beyond our control, and it is clear that the devil can enter into the hearts and minds of individuals and produce the most brutal and horrific actions against a child.”
• Browne said the Government should waste no time in putting strong and effective systems in place, including the mobilisation of trained professionals to help vulnerable and at-risk families.
“We have seen too many cases of people leaving children in care of unfit individuals, including our relatives.”
• His advice to mothers: “Whenever there is doubt, there is no doubt.”
‘PNM gave Verna’s Children’s Bill unanimous support’
Browne also agreed with Maharaj that 13 years was too much time for the act not to be fully proclaimed. He explained that there were some weaknesses and controversy with the initial drafted legislation.“It has certainly taken too long. Absolutely. I want to express my dismay, that since then, there has been inadequate momentum towards implementing and enforcing all of these laws.” As minister, Browne said, he made the finalisation of the laws a top priority and succeeded.
“All the major pieces of legislation were reviewed, updated, piloted in Parliament and debated to conclusion.” He said there was one bill called the Children’s Bill which was sent to a Joint Select Committee. “Some members of the then UNC Opposition thought the penalities were too harsh.” When the 2010 general election came, Browne said, the bill floundered again. Under Minister of the People Dr Glenn Ramadharsingh, Browne said no children’s legislation was brought to the House and no amendments made.
“It was only when Verna St Rose-Greaves was briefly brought in as a Cabinet minister, a Children’s Bill was brought to the Parliament. It was debated and we gave it unanimous support.” The matter was not raised again. Browne said the problem at this time are not the laws. Like Maharaj, he agreed there was a lack of political will and commitment by the PP.