Latest update March 7th, 2025 7:05 AM
Failure to report child abuse could see prosecution – Greene
Failure on the part of a professional to report an instance of child abuse could trigger legal action. This notion was recently amplified by Director of the Child Care and Protection Agency, Ms. Ann Greene, when she delivered her presentation at a forum intended to highlight the importance of the media in child protection.
Speaking at the Middle and Waterloo Streets, Georgetown, Bistro Restaurant on Friday, Greene noted that based on the Child Protection Act, there is need for mandatory reporting. All professionals aware of a child being abused must inform the relevant authorities. These professionals, according to Greene, could include teachers, doctors, nurses, lawyers and even social workers who were made aware of abuse cases.
Director of the Child Care and Protection Agency, Ms. Ann Greene
She disclosed that “if you know of a child being abused and don’t tell, you could be sanctioned…you are liable, you could appear before a Magistrate and you could be fined.”
And according to Greene, the Child Protection Agency is ready and will press charges against such an individual even as she assured that “ignorance of the law is no excuse.”
And members of the public, according to her, are not exempted from the reporting mandate.
She noted that the Child Protection Agency is on a mission to raise awareness about mandatory reporting of child abuse with a view to saving more abused children in the society.
The Child Care Agency is also relying heavily on its “Tell Campaign” which was launched and introduced in classrooms across the country with a view to enlightening children about their rights.
The campaign, according to Greene, is also designed to empower children to protect themselves from various forms of abuse. “It is so difficult for children to tell about abuse because (they) are telling of persons that they trust and love; the one who is the abuser and it is difficult…a lot of children suffer in silence; they take responsibility (for the situation)…” disclosed Greene.
And so in light of the fact that children cannot easily explain their dilemma, the ‘Tell Campaign’ was formulated, and has been yielding success, according to the Child Care Director.
“Every time the teachers do this in the classroom, a child tells of abuse even through drawings; some children can’t talk but they can draw…” Greene disclosed.
The notion of child protection translates to the implementation of a multiplicity of factors which obviously must include children growing up in an environment that is free from harm, abuse and exploitation.
Greene has underscored that building an environment suitable for children’s upbringing is one which requires Government to put safeguard measures in place such as policies laws and procedures.
And there have been several laws enacted here in Guyana between 2009 and 2011 in this regard, as well as the implementation of the Child Protection Agency, which falls under the purview of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security.
According to Greene, “Guyana is a good place when it comes to laws for children…I have travelled around the Caribbean and we (Guyana) have real good laws; we have all the laws, we have the establishment of the Child Care Agency and we have child protection officers throughout the Regions.”
Greene in her informed articulation to the media on Friday outlined that the creation of an ideal environment for children, where they are safe, requires the support of all. In fact she insisted that “children can only be safe if families, communities and professionals work together.” And certainly there is a role for the media, Greene added.
“We have recognised that we cannot do it alone, we must embrace NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations) and civil societies to come on board,” said the Child Care Director.
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