Child sexual abuse is rampant in T&T. But while it is undetected and under-reported in many instances, officials are hoping that through public education campaigns and increased awareness, victims will come forward. Dr Sandra Reid of the Institute for Gender and Development Studies of the University of the West Indies says a study done between 2008 and 2011 found that socio-cultural, economic and gender ideologies in communities affected by child sexual abuse and childhood incest protected the perpetrators of these acts.
Reid made the statement during a workshop titled Break The Silence, hosted by the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Child Development along with the United Nations Children’s Fund, at The Normandie, St Ann’s, yesterday. Reid said during a six-month period in 2006, 165 cases of child sexual abuse were reported to police. Of that number, 85 per cent related to violations of girls, of which 16 per cent were cases of incest.
Delivering the feature address, acting Deputy Permanent Secretary Jasmine Pascal said the aim of the campaign was to create awareness about child sexual abuse, incest and HIV/Aids, as well as educating people about existing resources for preventing and responding to child sexual abuse and incest. Yesterday’s workshop was the second such one organised by the ministry to educate stakeholders and the public on child sexual abuse.
Pascal said: “The naked truth is, if we are to save our innocents, we must assiduously work together.” Adding that it was sometimes disheartening and overwhelming, Pascal added that this was “frightening proof of the absence of information on the part of the children, their parents and guardians.” Promising that government had embarked on an aggressive media campaign, she warned of the severe penalties for anyone found guilty of such crimes.
Seeking to partner with the media to encourage awareness, Pascal said a range of initiatives providing support to children had been embarked upon. These include legislation promoting the rights of children, including the Children Act, 2012; the Children’s Authority Act and the Children’s Community Residences, Foster Care and Nurseries Act, 2000.
Hopeful that the Children’s Authority Act is fully operational by September 2014, Pascal revealed the authority had already started recruiting. Other initiatives include free counselling for children and families provided by the National Family Services Division. The ministry is also partnering with first responders such as ChildLine and the police Victim and Witness Support Unit, and also employing more social workers and support staff.
Its National Parenting Programme seeks to train parents, parents to be, guardians, adoptive parents and other caregivers in effective ways of caring. It started in April in Moruga/Tableland, Siparia, Chaguanas and Maloney.