In light of the recent observance of Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month, the territory should consider the security of its children.
Unfortunately, all is not well. Reported cases of child abuse have increased by almost 14 percent in the past two years, according to government. The majority of those cases involved sexual abuse, a crime that comes before the territory’s courts far too often.
Some of this increase may be due to a growing awareness of the social ill: Happily, information campaigns spearheaded by the police, non-profit organisations and other agencies appear to be meeting with success.
But even one case of child abuse is too many. Moving forward, the territory should take a collaborative approach toward a better future.
An important part of protecting children is ensuring that a strong legislative regime is in place to guard their rights. In this respect, successive governments have been making steady progress in recent years.
The 2007 Constitution was a cornerstone of the ongoing achievements: In keeping with international standards, it outlines various rights and freedoms due to children.
Other important laws have followed, including the 2011 Domestic Violence Act and the Status of Children Act, which the House of Assembly passed in March.
Meanwhile, badly needed protocols on child abuse and domestic violence have been drafted, and both are expected to be signed this year. We hope this step comes soon: The protocols will help ensure that reported cases of child abuse are properly handled.
Also promised in last October’s Speech from the Throne was a law designed in part to help ensure that all children are able to have a relationship with both of their parents.
Such steps should be fast-tracked, and leaders should continue to ensure that the territory keeps pace with international standards when it comes to protecting children.
But legislation alone will not be enough to ensure substantive change at all levels of society.
Education, of course, is crucial, but so is a greater commitment to social responsibility. Too often in this community, residents have been willing to turn a blind eye to what they erroneously regard as a family problem. This is wrong.
An old adage tells us that it takes a village to raise a child. It also takes a village to protect one.
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