Child Abuse is inexcusable – Minister Webster

Nov 20, 2012 News

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…as ‘The Tell Scheme’ is launched

“We all need to speak out,” said Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Ms Jennifer Webster, as she declared a zero tolerance stance on child abuse and sexual violence yesterday.

The Minister was at the time delivering the feature address at the launch of ‘The Tell Scheme’, a public awareness campaign aimed at supporting the Sexual Offences Act which was enacted in 2010 under the purview of Priya Manickchand, the then Human Services Minister.
It is designed especially to encourage primary-age children to report acts of sexual abuse perpetrated against them. The campaign comes at a time when national statistics show that of the total reported cases of sexual abuse, 715 were against children.
Speaking at the event at the Regency Suites/Hotel, Hadfield Street, Georgetown, Minister Webster stated that a life free of violence is in fact a basic human right. Guyana is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and a number of international conventions which are aimed at safeguarding the rights of children.
However, the Minister lamented, “it is quite unfortunate that on numerous occasions those rights are violated by adults. There is nothing remotely excusable about child abuse and more so sexual violence…there is absolutely no justification for this.”
Evidence of such cases has in fact caused the government to channel support to foster much needed change in this regard since, according to Minister Webster, “Quite frankly the status quo is unacceptable.”
With the introduction of ‘The Tell Scheme’, the Minister is optimistic that this move will help to empower children to speak out against “unsafe touches” and other abusive situations they experience.
She said, too, that there are plans to continue to educate children during the ambitious campaign. ‘The Tell Scheme’ will teach them some of the ways that they can recognise when they are being sexually abused.
“It is our intention that our children are taught that by speaking out they can do what is right. This is therefore a step in the right direction to prevent and to reduce the incidences of abuse which occur in our society.”
While the focus of the campaign is on children, the Minister insisted that the role of adults in eliminating sexual violence and abuse in the society is necessary.
“It is time adults take responsibility to ensure that children are kept safe from harm, neglect, sexual abuse, pain and other forms of violence, all of which are factors that should form no part in the lives of children.”

Prevention

It is the belief of Minister Webster that both child abuse and sexual abuse can be prevented. She said, “Adults owe it to children in their homes and communities to take action to prevent any form of abuse.”
Moreover, parents are obligated to nurture, love and care for their children and to create an environment that would facilitate the development of productive adults since children are the nation’s future, added the Minister.
She related too that quite often the adult/child relationships are violated since some parents and guardians are guilty of abusing children’s trust. This state of affairs, she added, is compounded because children are sometimes fearful of speaking out and sometimes adults themselves are aware of children’s sufferings but take the position that it is not their business.
But according to the Human Services Minister, “child abuse and sexual abuse is everybody’s business; we all need to speak out. It is my hope that through this scheme we will all unite and join forces to fight this scourge and do whatever it takes to prevent and reduce the (abuse) incidences that occur.”
Against this background the Minister made a clarion call to all to report cases of child abuse to either the Child Care and Protection Agency or the Police Force. According to her, community members must learn to recognise when a child is at risk and be able to ascertain what support and assistance should be offered.
“We must dedicate our efforts to change some of the inappropriate attitudes and behavioural patterns towards our children which exist. We must see our children as having the right to grow up in an environment that is free from abuse, neglect and exploitation…Child abuse leads to the destruction of a child, we must stop the abuse now!”
Also addressing yesterday’s forum were First Lady, Mrs Deolatchmee Ramotar and Programme Director of ChildLink Guyana, Ms Omattie Madray. An overview of the initiative was delivered by ‘Tell’ Scheme Expert, Mr Alex Graham.
The gathering at the launch yesterday was also exposed to a ‘Tell’ Video and jingle which emphasised how child abuse can unfold and what to do should it occur. Both the video and jingle featured Grade Six Pupils of the Success Elementary School and GT&T jingle finalist, Nia Allen.

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