A video, which appears to show a woman physically abusing a young child, has gone viral on social media.
Dominica News Online has been reliably informed that the matter is being investigated by the Welfare Division and the police.
According to reports, the video was shot in Goodwill and uploaded to Facebook on November 26.
The video shows a fight between a man and a woman. DNO has been informed the two are siblings.
About 25 seconds into the video, the woman began hitting the young child mercilessly.
The child was eventually thrown to the ground by the woman.
Several attempts were made by onlookers to rescue the child from the fracas.
The appearance of the video, which was labeled as ‘graphic’ by Facebook, did not go down well with bloggers.
“I am very disturbed by this video since the focus of discussion in Dominica lately has been domestic violence,” one person wrote. “Even more disturbing was the section where the woman ‘attacked’ the child. The child is innocent in all this.”
Another person wrote, “Poor child. Welfare needs to take the child away. What’s the future of the country when people are chuckling away when this horrible violent incident is happening. Heartless. God help our country.”
Another writer said the video is sickening.
“That is child abuse and makes me sick,” a blogger stated.
Another added, “When children grow up faced with such violence even from the very parents who should love them most, they grow up to be very withdrawn and sad souls or very violent and bitter ones. Where there is a true sense of community people would and should intervene as the young man did. However, once home with the child, the violence sadly will continue unabated. Our communities need to be taught the value of love for each other. This really is sad…”
Government authorities as Social Welfare, take it from here. Do what you can for the parents who are in need of proper parenting and for the children who need proper parents and nurturing.
If you do, one day, you will have a set of children to be proud of. They will one day attain adulthood and will be exemplary adults. Without proper nurturing, this will not be achieved. You should know the result of this as we see today.
Children are the future adults. Do you want a good society and as much as free of crimes or almost free of crimes? Then nurture the children appropriately.
From the moment they can comprehend, discipline them. You teach them to talk, then teach them to pray and discipline them. As they grow older, increase the discipline. Teach them respect for themselves and for others.
The reason for abuse and for other crimes could revert to poor parenting. I am not stating all are due to poor parenting but some of them are. You know this very well.
Parents must learn how to speak to their children and how to discipline them.
Each country has a government department which is responsible for the social welfare of children born in their country. I do believe parents have been left to their own devices to nurture children with no help, guidance from the proper authorities.
Some parents need this help. This woman in the video is a typical example.
When especially single women are pregnant, the Social Welfare should provide proper parenting counseling. Too many have had children and were not fortunate to receive this type of counseling. Some were fortunate that their children turned out well. Others not.
We wonder why children are the way they are. We also wonder why adults are the way they are. As adults, some of them abuse their partners to the point of harming/ murdering them. There is an underlying reason which caused that situation.
In the year 2015, the twenty-first century, the Social Welfare must take a better interest in mothers and fathers to be. This is to counsel them and provide proper parenting counseling.
These children are future adults. It is imperative that they are properly nurtured and well-taken care of. If parents, caretakers and the government authorities fail them, know that God will hold them accountable if these children also go astray. It will follow them to adulthood.
These news reports just keep coming.
Nobody denies the serious of the offences. They just watch, talk, pretend they are horrified, and do nothing.
They blame …….
Partial reporting.
Lazy police work or none at all.
Shoddy investigations.
No charges being laid.
Laws not being applied.
Incompetent judges.
Ridiculous sentences.
Lack of psychological treatment for offenders.
It continues because people who could stop it do nothing.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
All i can say is i no dis crazy grl n if it was one of allu lil sis or bro allu wouldnt want that child around the parent any more so some of allu can save allu hypocrite ass d comment……after she hit d lil boy he couldnt even stand so y give someone like dat back a child n plus dat is jhes one of the three who noz wat happens to the rest if they was living with her jah with some of alllu stupid ppl
or allu want something to happen to dem for allu to say they should nt give him back to her come on man
And whoever posted the video on FB should be arrested. It was a good idea to tape it as evidence but take it straight to the authorities and not online because that in itself is abuse. Looks like everyone needs to be educated!!! Geeze
i feel soo sorry for that poor child put i leave that mother in the hands of the lord what kind of mother is this!!!,. i hope that the welfare division does something immediately cause this is nonsense ……..i still dont see why people have to intervene politics and ministers in this matter (to the commenters ) politics does not have nothing to do with this! we all wont justice for this matter!!
anytime you beat anything that can not hurt you back your either wicked or a coward.which one the women is ..i do not know
Allu too like too mind people business is the woman child.
You are a pitiable person. No child asks to be born but when you make one, both father and mother, you have all the responsibility to look after it and for it to grow up properly. If you can not do that, don’t even think about having a child.
She made it everyone’s business by beating that poor child in a public place . Disgraceful .
On one hand I was fortunate to have had an exceptionally concious mother who did not abuse my siblings and I. On the other I witnessed the savagery of my neighbors and many times in the school system. For decades I dismissed it as learned behavior from slavery that slipped down the generations. We need to change in the modern world to create better lives. Dominica is idealic and would be a place I’d want to grow up again but the authorities need to make it safer for kids. Stop allowing such abuse.
The child is not the woman’s property. She does not own it.
The child has been loaned to her to love, nurture, and raise. This is what parenthood is all about.
Abuse is not discipline. No good comes out of violence. A case like this should be reported to the police. The woman needs counseling. The child needs emotional first aid. Translated: A dose of TLC meaning tender loving care.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
Let us face it. There are various reasons why children are abused. Many children who were conceived some of them were not planned, unexpected and were not welcomed
Their parents had no alternative but to nurture them. Some of those parents know nothing about proper parenting. They may have no one to turn to for advice. Children in such families are the ones who get the worst end of the stick.
When Social Welfare is aware of child abuse, they must first go to the home and interview the parents, if that is possible. If it is determined that the child is abused, they will take the child away, at least for a while, if not permanently. In the meantime they do communicate with the child’s parent(s) to solve the situation. If the parent(s) did abuse the child, the police will be called and charges will be laid against them. I expect this is the norm in Dominica. Abused children, in whatever manner must be taken away from such homes for their protection.
And placed them in homes where they are abused even more.U know these people only do the foster parent thing for the money
In some cases it is true Sadly, a few are murdered.
The Children’s Aid try their best. On the other hand they could be negligent in placing and visiting those children where they are placed.
This is a problem, with whom to place them that they may not be further ill-treated.
There are some nice foster and adoption parents. There are some bad children they fostered and adopted. Some of the worst ones could be over 7 years of age, if not less. They are troubled children
Some of those children were badly treated by their parent(s) and not properly nurtured. It is difficult to discipline them. Bad habits are hard to break. The bad outside influence, even at the school they attend could contribute to their demeanor.
There are many children in Toronto under the care of Children’s Aid waiting for foster and adoption parents. Some are blacks. Occasionally, the public is asked to foster or adopt them.
If only there was a solution to this. Only God can put a hand.
So if is not sex on them little children by old men.is abuse by both mother and father i telling you abusers out there you all will fall in my hands.all them things i hearing happening to children i never hear a parent cut out one hand yet .so what they thou their children man.if is for my children I AM NOT AFRAID TO GO TO JAIL FOR MY LITTLE GIRL I WILL GO TO JAIL BIG TIME YES BIG TIME
Why don’t we take our blame before passing on to somebody else! A SON HONOUR HIS FATHER .where is the honor for me . Satan was cast out from Heaven and send to Earth. Before I GO TO BED WITH A WOMAN; The first Question I ask myself is do I want that woman to carry my child because it can happen. Women can be very deceiving because they are greedy with no respect for their body. Have you ever heard them refer to each other as my lover, always boyfriend or girlfriend because they are there for what they can get. more blows on these women. when last you heard of a young couple getting engaged. I hope this answer for all your comments. Stay blessed and “remember me”
Now, you are blaming the women and not the men, namely you. It appears you have no love or respect for them. It appears you only wish to use them for your satisfaction. What if the women said, no, what would you say and about them?
If you are not married, ever consider refraining from this action with women? It is called fornication. Is this your god? You are not exonerated.
There are some good women as well as some good men and vice versa. Look for a good woman to marry and treat her lovingly and respectfully. You have much to gain by doing so. One is a happy and peaceful married life. Do not deprive yourself of this. In this short life, too few experience it..
Face the Facts:
This is a good comment and very well written. It is what the Bible teaches. When people line their lives up with the Word of God they experience happiness and success.
The New Testament is the best MARRIAGE MANUAL ever written. For maximum success people should read it carefully taking into consideration what is says about the totality of human relationships – not only marriage – because all areas of human relationships are related and influence each other.
When I was a child in a Gospel Hall Sunday School we sang a children’s song that said:
The B-I-B-L-E
Yes, that’s the book for me.
I stand alone on the Word of God,
The B-I-B-L-E
When I was seven years old God saved me by His grace.
When I was fourteen I read the New Testament through.
My wife and I have been happily married now for 53 years. Our one child – a son – lived at home until he got married. They have two lovely children, and worship at a Nazarene Church.
Sincerely, Rev…
This girl has three children her sister had the second one taking care off when she saw the child looking so good the child was looking she went to welfare and make up some lies than welfare came and took the child and gave it to her now the child is with the grandmother she sees the child maybe one a monthi I know her she is an unfit m0ther please make sure the welfare division take the children away from her
We are each others’ keepers. Where a little child is concerned, it should be reported. You will be doing your part to assist that poor little child. For the love of God and for the little child, please do not turn a blind eye.
I would advise you to inform the Welfare authorities of what you know but ask that your name not be released. You can ask them to investigate the child’s situation. Generally, when they are informed, they will perform one. Neighbors could assist them.
It appears that the child should be returned to her sister. It is easy to note that the mother is unfit. Here is one who should have no more children.
In Canada and since I reside in Toronto, women as these, once it is brought to the attention of the Children’s Aid, if it is proven the mother is unfit (also an alcoholic or drug addict) and she is pregnant, they monitor her. When she gives birth, the baby is taken away from her.
The world is in dire need of some good fathers and mothers.
Has anything changed? I doubt it, because change happens in the heart–@Weeping December 2, 2015
You are right on point my friend; as human beings what we need is a change of heart–to have a heart which can respond to Love, which is of God; for God is Love and Love demonstrates all the PRINCIPLES of Life to the glory of God–for man receives Love from Him.
The wrong with mankind of today is, he is growing further and further away from the perfection, which was in Adam, before he committed that gruesome sin with his wife Eve, and the evil Angel, Lucifer in the body of the Serpent.
So what we have today is a people who are conscience dead, this means that they are not connected to God and His Love–to know His ways of Life in Love– their mind is God’s enemy , and so we have a massive number of man walking this world with a mind of darkness and a heart of stones.
This problem is not only in Dominica, it is world wide–so let us pray for God’s mercy of His Love
Before we condemn the Government of our precious and beloved Supreme Leader, Dr. Roosevelt M. Skerrit for not moving fast enough on enacting tougher laws for crimes against children, bear in mind that these laws must be considered carefully before being put in place. For instance, if you toughen the laws on child physical abuse and make lengthy mandatory sentences you might end up with cases of children, especially teenagers, bringing charges against their parents for being disciplined. You might also end up with young people using the laws to threaten parents and even trying to fight their parents as well. When a country’s citizens call for tougher laws in certain instances they must understand that it just cannot happen immediately. There must be proper safeguards within these laws to protect the law itself from being abused and to ensure that it does not hinder parents from performing their roles as disciplinarians. We can’t have parents afraid to discipline their children.
This picture and story has caused me grief.
No incident of abuse can be excused. It is bad when an adult is abused and especially bad when a child is abused.
Enough is known about this incident for the police to take a close look at it. However, I would suggest a social worker trained in counseling or professional counselor talk with the woman and try to get to the bottom of this and give the lady some help.
It is likely she was abused herself earlier in life. I am suspecting a case of ”misdirected anger”. She may have a long held resentment and an anger against somebody else or about circumstances. When it explodes it is often directed at who ever happens to in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist. (Pastoral Counselor Certificate)
that’s actually the point where the vast majority of Dominica evils start: that poor kid will grow up and abuse his kids because its only the child knows. All grown-ups were once children…but only few of them remember it. All ugliness, mindlessness and awfulness of Dominica society start like that. There are nobody to blame: no colonial masters, no slavery…it is you who doing evil to your children and yourself.
I empathize with the child.
…..!!! becasue she couldnt bit de man she fall on de child. jail dat for 20 yrs minimum
i am trying to understand this scenario,a man and a woman was in a fight,then the woman turns on the child,was the child the mans child?if so then she should a really pick up some good cuff and kicks
But how they saying the video went viral and i never see it nuh… lol
Poor child. Just hope they find help for the child. The government really needs to intervene. I don’t care who started what, if two grown ups having issues, there is no way on this earth that they should take their frustrations off on the child. I am upset and very very upset .
I K R
I very sad to say it. But more children and women must die before legislation will be passed for violence and child abuse against women and children. Let me be more specific – let’s hope it won’t be a Minister’s family member. I feel so hurt that less important things are given more urgency in our parliament.
We just need to continue to pray steadfastly.
Oh la la
Please see my response to Cameron which also applies to you. You know, I keep scolding myself for reading and responding to some of this sickening stuff on this site but it is difficult to ignore the nonsense sometimes because it can serve to influence some simple-minded, non-analytical person, to the detriment of Dominica.
Sure you can make penalties stiffer and update laws but if our hearts are wicked and envious, no law can stop us from perpetrating wickedness.
As far as I am aware there are existing laws against battery, wounding and otherwise doing violence against human beings be they man woman or child, so what exactly is your point?
And yet that person has 18 persons who support his or her comment–it is deplorable.
Those people do nothing more than write what they hear or read, because they have no production of their own mind. And this goes for the young people as well as they old.
Barbara you are right on to say that those comments influence the simple minded etcetera, to the detriment–disadvantage or harm — of our Dominica. This has been happening for much too long and it is getting worse; we cannot keep it silent.
Again i say Dominicais doomed.Erika was just 1/4 of the pie,more has to come, ………………..,where is Justina to speak out .Also is Blackmoore still NATIONAL SECURITY MINISTER?
Cameron
Justina and Blackmore must pass a law to tell a mother not to beat up a child she bore? I guess they were also responsible for the young man who killed the mother of his four year old child with a gas cylinder in the presence of the child? How sick can you people get with this hate?
Go ahead with this hatred and anger. Feed yourselves first thing in the morning and last thing at night with the drivel that comes through the airwaves from some stations and then wonder why there is so much of this wickedness and violence going on.
@ Barbara Saunders, I say Amen! And Amen again!
Only the grace of God and the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit that is experienced in conversion and the new birth can change the human heart.
It is a sad but true commentary on the human condition when government must pass a law that says a mother must not beat a child she bore. But because of the fallen depraved condition of mankind there must be laws and they must be enforced.
These laws and proper enforcement can contain the spiritual disease called ”sin” with all its deplorable symptoms. But only God can change the human heart and give men and women a new life.
The Bible says:
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, …. … ….” (2 Corinthians 5:17-18)
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
Well i cant say this wont happen in Europe. It will but behind very tight closed foors. But then again spear the rod and spoil the child. Dont spear the rod and its child abuse. But then again its how it is done. Parents are between a rock and a hard stone…o
“Spare” the rod. . .
Parents need to understand the difference between discipline and abuse.
(1) Do not discipline your child when you are angry.
(2) Lovingly explain to the child the reason for the discipline.
(3) Discipline must be measured and reasonable.
(4) Discipline must not place the child at risk. Anything that could result in bruising, bleeding, or a broken bone is abuse not discipline.
(5) Simpler methods of discipline that do not involve inflicting physical pain should be considered. No television this evening, No movie, or game this Saturday, go to your room and stay there for ______________,
are all alternatives to consider.
(6) Some parents are finding it pays to reward good behavior to break a pattern of bad behaviour.
(7) Follow through and do what you say you will do. Not to keep a promise (to punish OR to reward) is damaging to the whole process. This must be avoided.
Continued …
Continuation …
(8) Make God part of your family life. God will bless your home but you must let Him in! Read the Bible together and pray with your kids. Ask the blessing (pray a prayer of thanksgiving) at the table for the food before you eat your meal together. Take the children to Sunday School and church. I said TAKE not SEND! Let them know it is important to you. Later let them hear you discussing the sermon in a positive way. Use it as an opportunity for teaching them Biblical truth and values.
(9) Know this. Going to church will not make you a Christian any more than going to a garage will make you an automobile. Jesus said ”… … Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3) You must believe that Christ died for you, and God raised Him from the dead according to 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, and Romans 1:16. You must receive Him as your personal Savior as it says in John 1:11-13 and Revelation 3:20.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill…
ZORR TAY LA ?
What useful purpose is served by sharing the video of abuse of a child on Facebook. The child is further abused by that sharing. The video should only have been shared with the police authorities.
You and I would not know about this abomination and abuse of parental authority if it had not been shared on social media. Please consider that.
Actually, there is no need for you and I to know.
If it was a serious enough encounter the police should know. If it was only a minor scuffle perhaps not. Those who saw what happened are the best ones to decide this. We hope they used wisdom.
If somebody was seriously injured it should be reported to the police.
Now with so many people carrying phone-cameras around with them we have too many people taking pictures. Unfortunately some of this infringes on people’s privacy. Pictures of a personal nature should not be put online unless it is a criminal matter and is done to bring a
law breaker to justice.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
so how would authority see it n do something bout it if it was kept a secret…………tell me
Jane Doe:
That is exactly what I thought when I saw it.
Thank you for speaking out.
Some people seem to make a hobby of putting stuff like this on Facebook or elsewhere on the internet.
This should be discouraged. It only hurts people who do not need to be hurt any further.
I don’t know how to stop it. If anybody knows just do it!
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
You want to bring America nonsense to Dominica and take people children awY from them?Do you think they get treatedany better in foster care?
Give the parents the help and skills that they need and let them take care of their children.
They are following others in those big countries. Some months ago there was an accident in Les Pointes (if I recall the place), a man riding a motorcycle was killed. The man’s face was badly injured. Some people took pictures and placed them on Face Book. These people are non-caring. It is as if they are paid to do this sort of thing. It is too bad they cannot be stopped from doing that. This is one price the world is paying with such technology. Sadly, it is also lack of privacy.
This is the legacy of slavery. It was like that when I was a child growing up in Dominica. I heard the most dreadful horror stories. Has anything changed? I doubt it, because change happens in the heart, and the slave mentality is still strong in Dominica.
I would not call it slave mentality for the majority of nationals, if not all of them are of two different races. No one speaks of that. These are quick to mention the word, slaves or slavery. Cease using these words which is a form of debasement which obviously project inferiority.
Their blood (DNA) will indicate that. There is an underlying situation. One of it could be poverty, neglect and from one’s partner, frustration, anxiety, stress and impatience. Another one is godlessness. These factors lead to other ones which cause some people to act violently and toward children.
I agree with you premise. Not until the legacy of slavery and the effects it has on human interaction in former slave societies is part of the conversation can we begin to address the many socials ills in Dominica and for that matter all societies which have their roots in slavery. Until the devastating affects of the Willy Lynch are compensated we are doomed to gross dysfunction in our social fabric.
The slaves are no longer with us.
The slave ”owners” are no longer with us.
Generations have passed since slavery ended.
The evil influences that came from slavery have had time to wear off. Enough positive influences have since been fed into the island population and culture that it is not reasonable to blame present problems on slavery. Come on, you can do better than that
A black man kills a black man.
A black woman abuses a black child.
A black man rapes his black daughter.
A black unmarried girl gets pregnant by a black man.
How can you blame these things on slavery
The more you stir the pot the worse the @#%& smells. Every so often somebody comes along and gives the pot another stir by making a speech or writing an article on slavery. This makes the people happy because again they feel they have something to blame their social ills on instead of starting with themselves and working to change their society.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald…
What a shame. She should be assessed to check for mental health issues. If she’s mentally fit she should be jailed!!!
If she is not mentally fit she should be in treatment. However, she does not need to be mentally ill to sit down with a caring professional who understands the dynamics of this kind of behavior and talk the problem through.
It is not possible to properly judge this incident unless you know both the woman’s background, the context of what happened, and the circumstances leading up to it. I hope a competent justice takes his (or her) time in the full knowledge that he (or she) is dealing with human lives and futures.
That is if it even goes to court
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist. (Pastoral Counselor Certificate)
Gment and authorities in Do.I ica need to strengthen laws to de sith child abused physical and sexual also metal . Dominica is a talk shop nothering get do e. Very sad. Imagone an MP IN THE BRITISH PARLIAMENT Wis very concern of all these abuse of children in Dominice and nothering concrete is done to deal with the disgraceful situation in Dominica.
what you write there nuh??
stupes.
I know right… lolzzz hahahahah
Hahahaha
I am wondering myself what the heck did I try to read
I do not know on what planet you are living now,please get your facts right.If there is any political representative in England right now who worries about sexual abuse in Dominica tell him to shut it and sweep in front his door step first.A large number of MP’s are suspected of sexual abuse in England,kids dissappared and found dead after they go to the police ,the police turn a blind eye because they are being paid to shut up,t.v speakers sexually abuse children in the u.k the most famous was Jimmy Savile ,Leon Britton Ceril smith the gov’t reacted only after they died,,Jimmy Savile had permission even to sleep in hospitals to abuse kids,doctors like Michael Salmon,Michael Lever,Stephen Hamilton,(Myles Bradbury who particularly raped children with cancer) and many more,look up google for all these names,,babies are killed very often by their own mothers ,fathers,father in laws and even by their own brothers and sisters sometimes just to learn how to kill,stop speaking crap
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to laugh until I cry.
My observation is that some of us have a callous disregard for fellow human beings and treat them with abuse, both physically and mentally, not infrequently within their immediate domestic circle. The result is mentally bruised and damaged children, who are permanently affected and struggling to mature into well balanced adults. Indeed, very often we treat our children no better than we treat our domestic animals, cruelly!
Govt is the problem not the solution, we pay high taxes to people who steal from us, we cannot ask them questions in parliament, and our court system protecting them.
The name you use is a grave problem and insult to our God which add to this situation and placing a curse on you of all. It appears to commence with you. Sadly, you lack enlightenment to comprehend that and to cease using this name. One day you will find out your error. Hope it will not be too late for you.
Facing the Facts:
I totally agree with you.
The name this writer had taken is enough to cause us to call into question anything he or she says in the comment. Furthermore it is disrespectful.
Jesus did not endorse any particular form of government above another for this particular age. He preached that the kingdom (government) of God is at hand. Until then the New Testament tells us to honor and obey those in authority over us and pay our taxes. (Romans 13:1-7)
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
A large number of children in dominica have had this bad experience especially from their own mother,fathers that are present in their children’s lives seldom hit on children..when ever the mothers have a problem with the father ,they cannot hit on the men so they turn to the children,the gov’t pay little or almost no attention to the well being of the helpless people..I witnessed a police officer at the roseau market many years ago looking at a mother ill treating a handicap child ,he looked till the lady was satisfied abusing the child,all the witnesses said that the mother asked the child excuse and the child took to much time to react.that same child was physically abused days aback in a southern village where onlookers took a nasty pleasure to film but no one came to her rescue..that’s what my dominica has because,cruel,disrespectful and full of hatred towards each other ..the gov’t needs to step up,the police needs to do their work are we waiting to meet bodies in bins to…