Latest update February 22nd, 2025 2:00 PM

Guyana's largest selling daily and New York's most popular weekly

Latest News

Is the Child Protection Hotline functioning properly?

Jan 21, 2015 Letters

Dear Editor,
Two weekends ago I had cause to call the Child Protection Hotline. A child in a neighboring yard was being beaten by an adult, with the sounds of the abuse coming loud and clear through the walls of the house.
I know beating children is still common practice in Guyana, but it is not something I condone. I could not personally go into the yard where the abuse was occurring because dogs, including a pit bull, were loose so I decided to call the Child Protection Hotline, having heard that that was what you were supposed to do in cases like this.
I provided the location of the house and as much information as I could to the person who answered the phone and she promised that it would be checked out within 72 hours, as was the agency’s protocol.
Three days later, I decided to call back to follow up on the story. I was shocked however, to be told by the supervisor- Mr. Robertson- that there was no record of my call!
I am now wondering how often this happens, and how many other reports of child abuse are not recorded or followed up.
I am also wondering what system of checks, oversight, and accountability is in place to make sure that ‘mistakes’ like this do not regularly occur.
The Child Protection Hotline is a critical tool in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of the children of Guyana and it’s critical that all efforts are made to have it function effectively. Additionally, we- members of the public who are trying to do the right thing and take action to right the wrongs that we see in our communities- also need to have confidence in these services.
‘Mistakes’ like this can mean the difference between life and death. I hereby call upon those responsible for the operation of the Child Protection Hotline to clarify their intake procedures, to describe their monitoring and evaluation system, and to reassure the Guyanese public that they are indeed doing what they’re supposed to, not just telling us one thing and doing another.
Concerned Citizen

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show|| February, 14th, 2025

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

 Slingerz FC shines at Guyana Energy Conference and Youth Forum

 Slingerz FC shines at Guyana Energy Conference and Youth Forum

Feb 22, 2025

Kaieteur Sports- Slingerz FC made a bold statement at the just-concluded Guyana Energy Conference and Supply Chain Expo, held at the Marriott Hotel, by blending the worlds of professional football...
Read More
Guyana’s rising Chess stars take on Barbados

Guyana’s rising Chess stars take on Barbados

Feb 22, 2025

Elite clubs will challenge KFC monopoly on team uniforms

Elite clubs will challenge KFC monopoly on team...

Feb 22, 2025

Bristol named manager as Guyana gears up for 2025 Caribbean Boxing Championship

Bristol named manager as Guyana gears up for 2025...

Feb 22, 2025

BCB puts a halt to cricket season due to inclement weather

BCB puts a halt to cricket season due to...

Feb 22, 2025

Changes made to KMTC Phagwah Horse race meet

Changes made to KMTC Phagwah Horse race meet

Feb 22, 2025

Features/Columnists

  • The clock and the cloud   

    Peeping Tom… Kaieteur News- Time, as the ancients knew, is a trickster. It slips through the fingers of kings and commoners... more

Publisher’s Note

Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.

Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]