Basseterre, St. Kitts, November 19, 2020 (SKNIS): Residents of St. Kitts and Nevis are encouraged to report any known cases of child abuse whether they be physical, sexual, and emotional abuse or child neglect.
In a national address to mark the World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse on Thursday, November 19, 2020, Minister of Social Development, the Honourable Eugene Hamilton, said that statistics from the Department of Probation and Child Protection Services identified child neglect as the most reported form of child abuse in 2019. This was followed by physical, sexual, and then emotional abuse.
“We must be wary and vigilant and not fall trap to the bystander effect, by seeing or hearing something but doing nothing, believing or hoping, that someone else will come to the rescue,” the minister stated. “We are all responsible for protecting every child.”
Persons are encouraged to contact the nearest police station, the Special Victims Unit, or the Department of Child Protection Services where confidential reports can be made.
“Help will be provided which can include family intervention, criminal prosecution, medical and counselling help, and if needed, the removal of the child from the household,” Minister Hamilton added.
He further thanked the staff of the department and Ministry of Social Development, members of the Child Welfare Board, law officials, physicians, and other groups working to help victims of child abuse.
The minister called on all residents to wear blue tomorrow, Friday (November 19), in solidarity with the efforts to protect children from all forms of abuse.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, November 19, 2020 (SKNIS): St. Kitts and Nevis is commemorating two international observances that highlight the need to protect and raise children in a safe environment.
Today, Thursday, November 19, 2020, is the World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse while tomorrow, Friday, November 20, is World Children’s Day.
According to apa.org, the World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse was launched in 2000 by the Women’s World Summit Foundation. The website un.org, notes that the World Children’s Day observance was first celebrated on November 20, 1954, as Universal Children’s Day. Five years later in 1959, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child on November 20. The day also marked the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989.
Staff from the Department of Probation and Child Protection Services appeared on the radio and television programme Working for You on Wednesday (November 18) to highlight the need to safeguard the well-being of children.
Gerald Connor, Acting Director of the Department of Probation and Child Protection Services said that St. Kitts and Nevis was the first OECS (Organization Eastern Caribbean States) member state to sign the UN’s Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1989. He said that the country’s record of child welfare is commendable.
“We have led the way in the charge when it comes to protecting children, putting frameworks and facilities in place … as we go about doing what we have to do in the department,” Mr Connor said.
Naren Maynard, Supervisor for Probation, highlighted that children do have rights too as enshrined in the Convention of the Rights of the Child. The Convention features 54 Articles including the right to life; freedom of expression; education; freedom of association; protection of the law and others.
“It is very important for us to teach our children these rights,” Mr Maynard stated. “We want parents to be mindful of that. Children do have rights; they are humans just like we as adults and we need to know these rights and respect these rights.”
The Convention on the Rights of the Child can be accessed at www.unicef.org/child-rights-convention.
]]>Basseterre, St. Kitts, September 16 , 2020 (ZIZ News): The department of Department of Probation and Child Protection Services investigating a video circulating on social media involving a minor.
In a release issued on Tuesday the Department said it has been made aware of a “very disturbing video that has been circulated through social media. The matter is currently being investigated and all necessary measures and interventions would be implemented to assist everyone involved.
The Department did not give any details about what took place in the video.
The statement went on to thank the general public for its keen attention and concern to matters of this nature; saying the department “would like to encourage all to continue being vigilant and to report all matters involving the nation’s children as we strive to make these the best times to be a child.”
Reports can be made anonymously by calling 662-6833 or emailed to pcpsreports.govkn@gmail.com.
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