United for Children, a group conceptualized by students of the Convent High School, held its first awareness walk on Saturday morning, from the Dame Eugenia Charles Boulevard to the Botanical Gardens, under the theme: “It Shouldn’t Hurt to Be a Child.”
The members of United for Children, who have opted to remain anonymous, told Dominica News Online that the group’s main goal is “to fight against child abuse, negligence, and ill-treatment of minors in Dominica. We are united for children because it shouldn’t hurt to be a child.”
A founding member of the group revealed the inspiration behind its inception.
“What inspired us was that children all over the world are being abused and no one got a chance to speak up for them, and stop it,” she explained. “So, we wanted to give children a voice, and to speak up for them so that child abuse can stop and the parents and everybody can learn to love their children, and let our children be children.”
The students urged members of the public to report suspected cases of abuse.
“You are condoning child abuse when you keep quiet about it. Break the silence. Child abuse is one secret you should not keep,” they advised.
The girls commented that they plan to establish a “firm foundation” within the Convent High School, and subsequently branch out into other schools on-island. They noted that they have received support from their teachers, principal, and over 100 students who are interested in joining the group.
Secretary of the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Coalition for the Protection of Children and Youth, Tina Alexander, acts as the group’s mentor, providing guidance and assistance.
Representatives from the NGO Coalition for the Protection of Children and Youth, Lifeline Ministries, Child Fund, and Love One, Teach One were present at the event.
DEPEX Colour Lab, HHV Whitchurch & Co. Ltd., Dominica National Council of Women (DNCW) were named as sponsors of the event.
I am very happy to know that a group of people are standing up against this abuse.There has to be alot of education in this area from pre school to form 5.Recognizing abuse is vital for this cause.No more women and kids should feel shamefull to talk about these thing because abuse changes your life forever.It affects everything you do later in life.Take a stand against it and be the person God intended you to be.Hurray to the organizers.
Hopefully this is the first of MANY awareness walks for the cause! Well done to the students and kudos to all who participated. Empowering and educating the young people is SO NEEDED!! Bless up!
It would be nice if teenagers called minors would conduct themselves in a proper manner.
Times have changed. Today, teenagers are not what those teenagers were in those days who attended the Convent High School and under the directorship of the Nuns, the Mothers/Sisters of St. Augustine.
Ask those who attended the CHS in those days and the discipline they received also in modesty which their parents did not oppose. Parents cooperated with the teachers, whether they were Nuns or not.
In those days they would not be wearing shorts and very short ones to attend this gathering. There is a time and place for everything. Know that this type of shorts, young girls exposing their thighs, are enough to tempt boys/men. These are the causes.
As God looks on, if you want your efforts to be successful, dress modestly and remember you are still a student at the CHS whether today it is called “New”. New what? Since when? It is still the Convent High School as many knew it.
No child should feel unsafe or be violated by any grown adult. A minor cannot give consent. Let the children be kids. Children need us adult to keep them safe not to violate them. Break the cycle of abuse of any kind . Join in the fight!
Where are we the men?
I was not fully aware of the walk. I am ready for the next walk. Bravo young people..
DOC. Love! ample time the Police should take you in for questioning. when we mention children what follows are : teachers, parents or guardian,what children has to do with ministers. we lost two profile ministers because of children and now you are saying ministers to join children march. Thanks for the information its all coming out now. let children be children. The so called children are the ones holding back information. good on them now they can see the light. Help us to help you
I am ready for the next walk
I STAND UNITED FOR CHILDREN. Its time to STOP the ABUSE of our minors. Let children be children
Honorable Lennox Linton and his family were participants in the awareness walk. DNO is showing pictures of Mr. Linton’s wife and daughter. I noticed DNO has conveniently left out the picture of Hon Lennox Linton from the fifteen pictures shown above. If the Prime Minister or other Government Ministers had attended, I wonder whether their pictures would also be left out.
In fact the headline would have been different . Perhaps it would have read “Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit lead the Convent High School Club awareness walk”
DNO I hope you that you will post my comment.
Doc. Love and Princess…..wrong focus …lay off DNO
There is hope for tomorrow when young people take to the street and make their voices heard on behalf of the nation’s children.
Political parties know these students are – or soon will be – the voters deciding the country’s political future.
Soon they will be parents themselves. It is encouraging to see them entering that chapter of their lives with a strong resolve to make their country a better place beginning with the nation’s most vulnerable.
Students will carry their ideals forward into the working world and bring their chosen career or vocation to bear upon the wellbeing of children. It says a lot about the importance of the cause to see older folks who are already part of child protection organizations in the march.
Thank you NEW CONVENT HIGH SCHOOL
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist. (Pastoral Counselor Certificate)