The Isaiah Thomas Secondary School (ITSS) Pastoral Care Team launched a campaign against child abuse at a special assembly on Monday morning.
School principal, Jerome Bardouille, told Dominica News Online that the campaign is the school’s way of sensitizing students on the issue of abuse of children, especially sex abuse.
“The campaign, which was launched today, was meant to sensitize the young people to develop a level of awareness of the threat of sexual abuse which society is presently plagued with. They need to be on their guard, and should not allow individuals to take advantage of them,” Bardouille explained.
He is of the opinion that the issue should be given national attention since a number of young people are engaging in sexual activity while they are below the age of consent.
Bardouille lamented that a number of young people are being raped, molested and becoming pregnant by adults who are supposed to take care of them.
The assembly began with a praise and worship session which was followed by addresses by police prosecutor and inspector Claude Weekes, counselor at the Ministry of Education, Pamela Guiste and psychologist Dr. Shanie Shillingford, who advised the students on signs of sexual abuse and how to keep themselves safe from sexual perpetrators.
Junior calypso monarch, Nachel Walsh, also put on a performance.
“This is the very first time that we are doing a campaign against child sexual abuse but it doesn’t end there,” Badouille said. “We have already spoken to the parents at a PTA meeting and we told them what their roles and responsibilities are because their children are exposed and they have a part to play in the protection of the youth. We intend to take it a step further and go out into the communities and speak on the issue because it requires national focus.”
The campaign has been dubbed “Operation Save the Children” and it focuses on students speaking out and standing up against sexual abuse.
Great initiative Mr B, this is my ITSS, pls let me know how I can assist you in that mission. You know how to reach me, if you have forgotten, ask Ms Roberts of Ms Douglass, I can’t hide from them.
wea pappa you see how few dominicans commented on this subject,they just dont care because to them child abuse is a joke,the majority of dominicans dont care about childrens wellbeen trust me we are dommed to be the peadophile haven of the carribbean
Today was a real special day at school. The students were so jovial and peaceful. Let’s keep it up guys. This is good stuff
Today was also caring sharing day at The Isaiah Thomas Secondary School and it was well received by all. We are fostering a be your brother’s keeper relationship among our students and they had so much fun during assembly and the rest of the day showing love for each other. They gave hugs and compliments and shared snacks with teachers and students. They were proud to wear their care and share orange ribbons. THIS MUST CONTINUE
This is very important while fathers and boyfriends of mothers seek the opportunity to take advantage of these young girls and they manipulate them with money or death so they are so afraid to speak to someone help our YOUNG GIRLS
i am not a phyciatrist and neither do i pretend to be one i am just observent and thoughtfull and to me a lot of problems we have as a people,as adults in our conflict resoulution ,relationship skills and social skills can be traced directly back to our childhood whether we were beaten for no reason,shown contempt instead of love,judged constantly because of who we are or where we are from, permantly scared in our adult lives and leaving many of us damaged adults.for the welfare of our future as a people we must start stigmatizing all forms of abuse on OUR children.the old African saying of it takes a village to raises a child needs to be adopted as our motto not a village must take turns in abusing a child.if i was asked what one thing about being dominican i was proud of i would answer the way we come toghether during tradgides i always remember the saddness on eveyones face in roseau after the plane crashed at melville hall and the young boy who initially survivedd the crash died later but if i was asked what i am most ashamed of being a dominican i would not hesitate to say the amount of all forms of child abuse that take place everyday in DA with very little public scorn or legal retribution.so lets start the debate and finally become a moral mature nation full of adults that treat the young as gifts from God which is exactly what they are.
Very good Mr. Bardouille. it is good that your school started the initiative. i hope many other schools take this on because too many young people are enduring this monster of sexual abuse especially by people who are suppose to love and care for them. Congratulations!
Whst about physical abuse ande emotional abuse…they have proven to have negative effevts on a child’s life slso…more attention needs to be paid also to other forms of abuse
you are right but i guess the focus this time was on sexual abuse. this is too rampant.
Please note they are focusing on abuse of children especially sexual abuse, so it is abuse in general.
It is a great campaign, well done.
cant u read it specified child abuse which mean all type of abuse especially sex abuse
keep it up that s my high school though in my time it was known as DGS st joseph campus but then we got our independence and have gone through some name change i am proud of u ITSS