The Government of The Bahamas, “along with all of its stakeholders” will do all within its power to ensure that child abusers – especially sexual offenders and pornographers – are brought to justice, Minister of Social Services and Community Development, Melanie S. Griffin said Wednesday.
“I want child abusers, pornographers and sex offenders to know that my ministry, along with all stakeholders, will never give up our efforts to ensure for the care and protection of our children,” Mrs. Griffin said.
“You (child abusers, pornographers and sexual offenders) must know that we will never give up the fight against child abuse; you will be brought to justice,” Mrs. Griffin added.
Delivering the keynote address at a press conference held to announce activities planned for Child Protection Month, which will be observed within The Bahamas and globally next month, Mrs. Griffin said the incidences of child abuse in The Bahamas remains still too high with 1300 cases reported during the years 2011 and 2012. Many more cases go unreported.
Mrs. Griffin said the activities planned for Child Protection Month will provide insight as to how best to deal with the various types of child abuse – neglect, sexual abuse, physical abuse and psychological or emotional abuse – and with regards to the potential that exists “with regards to sexual predation.”
While many persons focus on neglect, sexual abuse, physical abuse and psychological/emotional abuse as the primary forms of abuse, other forms of abuse include incest, verbal abuse and abandonment.
“The Planning Committee has organized a full and varied schedule of events for the month which are intended to inform and educate parents and guardians, professionals – including social workers and guidance counsellors – and of course children,” Mrs. Griffin said.
“I am pleased that some of these activities will also include sessions on the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of the Child to which The Bahamas is a signatory.”
Mrs. Griffin said the Convention on the Rights of The Child was the first, legally binding, international, instrument to incorporate the full range of human rights.
“The originators wanted to ensure that the world recognized that not only adults, but children as well, had human rights. These rights include the right to survival; the right to develop to their fullest potential; the right of protection from harmful influences, abuse and exploitation, and the right to fully participate in family, cultural and social life.”
Mrs. Griffin said the Convention should be viewed as “more than dealing with the Rights of Children, but also viewed as establishing the foundation of how we, as a people, treat the future generations of Bahamians.”
“If they are to grow into the kinds of productive, well-rounded adults we need for the peaceful development of our country, it is imperative that we ensure their protection and the enforcement of their rights.
“The children, no doubt, will benefit greatly and by extension, our community, as we educate them about their rights,” Mrs. Griffin said.
Minister Griffin urged Bahamians “everywhere” to join the fight against Child Abuse.
“On behalf of our children we are asking you, Bahamians everywhere, to be our eyes and ears in this fight. If you know of, or suspect that a child is being abused in any way, please call the National Hotline at 322-2763 (the Toll Free Line for persons in the Family Islands) or 422-2763.
“These lines are manned by trained Social Workers and the information provided will be held in the strictest confidence. Your call may mean the difference between life and death for some child,” Mrs. Griffin added.
By Bahamas Information Services