Zero tolerance for child abuse

May 31, 2015 Editorial

From birth to childhood, children are innocent, compliant and affectionate and should be nurtured and loved. They should not be sexually or physically abused. Can the Granger-led Coalition government protect the children from those predators who are likely to molest them? Even though there are laws in place to prevent the sexual and physically abuse of children, for a number of reasons, they are not being enforced properly and effectively.
One of the major concerns is that children are being guided by adults, especially their parents and guardians, many of whom lack the ability and parental skills to point the children in the right direction.
It is the role of parents and caretakers to raise them in a caring environment and to guide them towards a path leading to positive goals in education, professional integrity, sports or Godly inspired religious ambitions. They are the country’s future and if parents or the government cannot take good care of them then who will?
Why in a country so rich in natural resources and with many achievable opportunities, do children seem disinterested in serious efforts to emerge as competent professionals and proficient craftsmen and women?
There should be zero tolerance for sexual abuse of a child. Everyone should know that sexual abuse of a child does not only exist at one level of society; it encompasses all social, economic and religious levels. One may be surprised to know that if a child from a wealthy family is sexually abused, it is harder to build a case against the abuser simply because of the affluent home, the financial leisurely lifestyle and the environment from which the abused child comes. These things make it more convenient for his or her parents to live a lie than face the challenging consequences and embarrassment to make the abuse public. Therefore, the rights of children are being sacrificed at the altar of the wealthy lifestyle of their parents or guardians whose choice or preference is to maintain the status quo.
Some children have become compliant victims of child abuse both physical and sexual, but it must be brought to light, irrespective of their environment and they must be taught that accepting the lesser of two evils does not make either of the evils right.
Not only girls are being abused by family members, neighbours, teachers, and in some cases, priests, but also little boys are at serious risk. This is why the Granger administration must act quickly to protect them.
We know the problem exists and yes, there are solutions, but it needs a well-coordinated approach. It must begin in the home where parents must be educated about the profound and sacred values of society, where money should not be the dominant motivator as to how children are brought up in the country.
No matter how poor a country or a community is, at no time money should dictate or define societal values or become a factor to determine a child’s future. The life of a child should not be sacrificed because of money. Unfortunately, this has become a very common practice in some communities. If the adults understand the value of families and the importance of children, it may prevent the sexual abuse of children.
Indeed, the bills must be paid but it must not be done through the exploitation and sexual abuse of children.
If the people act positively, and the laws governing sexual abuse are properly enforced by the government, the country may see men return to the characteristic known as manhood and women return to the respect they once held for their concealed, rather than exposed, femininity. And children will respect their parents. A wise person once said: Children learn where they live.

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Zero tolerance for child abuse

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