Child sexual abuse is unacceptable – Minister

Shillingford

Minister for Community Development and Gender Affairs Gloria Shillingford has assured that child sexual abuse will not be tolerated here.

Speaking at the 23rd Annual General Meeting of the National Council of Women recently, Shillingford said that it is also wrong for mothers to collate with these perpetrators.

“It appears that we need to ask ourselves again and again, whether our families are succeeding in being the main protector of our children. I ask this question because we are experiencing in Dominica an increase in abuse against our children, specifically sexual abuse. I know you are aware of the recent study on child sexual abuse in the eastern Caribbean commissioned by UNICEF…” she stated.

“I am taking every opportunity to speak out about this study. Because it is important that we convey a very strong message to the perpetrators of abuse, that violation of our children is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. We need to admonish parents particularly mothers that coalitions with the perpetrators of abuse is equally wrong,” the minister said.

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19 Comments

  1. Tainted
    December 3, 2010

    One word in the amended laws ‘CASTRATION”. It would make a hell of a difference.

  2. $
    December 2, 2010

    If we do not have PROPER LAWS against sexual offenders how can WE “fight these abusers”?
    What must we do, go arround holding protests to no avail, or rather ”peaceful” protests (AND WHILE WE PROTESTING PEOPLE MOLESTING OUR CHILDREN)?
    We as citizens can only talk and cry and beg…. BUT at the end of the day it’s the people like Gloria Shillingford who form our Government who have to take the mantle and SEE THAT THINGS GET DONE AND THAT THERE IS NO PREFERENCE AND NO LEEWAY IN THE LAWS OF THIS LAND.
    YOU SHOULD KNOW BY NOW THAT TALKING WILL GET US NO WHERE IN THIS COUNTRY TRYPHENA.

  3. 365 RIVERS
    December 2, 2010

    THANK YOU MADAME MINISTER FOR YOUR BOLD STEP IN ADDRESSING SUCH AN IMPORTANT VIOLATION IN OUR SOCIETY.

    I LISTEN TO SOME GUESTS ON THE RADIO THIS WEEK TALKING ABOUT THIS SAD TOPIC AND I YET TO HEAR “MEN” WHO ARE THE MAIN OFFENDERS OF THESE CRIMES CALL AND TO COMDEMN THOSE WHO VIOLATE OUR YOUNG GIRLS.

    AS A MAN I AM ASHAMED OF YOU MEN WHO HAVE NO RESPECT FOR THE LITTLE GIRLS WHO YOU SEE WALKING ON THE STREETS OR EVEN WORSE, GIRLS WHO LIVE IN YOUR HOUSES.

    IT IS TIME THE GOV’T START A NATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO BRING THIS TOPIC OUT IN THE OPEN.

    TO ALL MEN. “STOP ABUSING THE YOUNG GIRLS, YOU CANNOT GET ANY SATISFACTION FROM A LITTLE GIRL.”

  4. Dale
    December 2, 2010

    May be Madam Minister you should be the spokes and lead person to deal with this dire issue instead of the the disgraced Alix Knights. Ms Knight has lost all respect to deal with any substantial issues affecting women in our society. She has surrendered her dignity and ‘class’.

    Thank you

  5. ALL FOR MUCH NEEDED PROGRESSION
    December 2, 2010

    Finally the powers that be in the ‘Isle of Beauty’ are starting to take note of this very, very important subject which needs to be taken to the Early Learning Schools/Centres, Pre-Schools, Nurseries, Primary Schools, Secondary Schools, Colleges, Churches, Parlarment, Local Communities, society as a whole and of course Universities on the island.

    It is high time that this social ill that destroy so many families and children’s lives forever, is irradicated and dealth with accordingly and the perpetrators, whether high up the chain in society or low the ladder is treat in exactly the same way and sentenced appropriately, to send the signal to such peadophiles, (male or female), that stealing the innocence of children is unacceptable and will not be tolerated, sentences must also be given out to those sick parents who are pimps of their children in exchange for material possessions and money.

    I have always thought about moving back to Dominica to use my training, qualifications and experience in dealing with the epidemic of Child Abuse in Dominica, so food for thought for me, now that positive changes are being made to address and deal with this historical problem.

    • $
      December 2, 2010

      Excuse me, but they’ve been ‘taking note’ from the beginning of time. Haven’t you realized? Your ‘Isle of Beauty’ needs action, change-makers, not repetitive talk.

  6. Tory tatay
    December 2, 2010

    @btw… Alas… Watch you… Di woman have her degree… She was a teacher for how many years, a principal for how many years and now a minister… And what u have to say for yourself??? Smh… Allu people choupit wi!!!

    Good start Minister… Now push for legislative reform… We know there is a lot in the works but there is much more to be done…

    • ~
      December 2, 2010

      No probs, go ahead n sing for your supper.

  7. The Guard
    December 2, 2010

    Why don’t these people stop being so hypocritical? Everything is that unacceptable for the general public is acceptable for OFFICIALS?/ They are pretending that they do not know what exactly is going on in Dominica. People in high offices are getting 14 year olds pregnant and the higer up, yes the very highers ups are paying off the parents to keep them quite. No investigations, no prosecution, no punishment.. Enough already, go and do all you jobs and stop with the nice talk, we are not impressed. A lot of people including the children and their parent know exactly what the deal is. This Government is a sham, and everything they say has to be discredited for what it is.

    • Fet SaL
      December 2, 2010

      i like the way you are helping the country move forward my friend. I could tell you have a troubled life.

      • The guard
        December 2, 2010

        I like the way you and your cabal are leading the country into moral decadence, and attack anybody or decaare them mad. Are your following Skeritt’s, Charles Svarin, and Tony Astaphan’s lead? When they decalred Jerry Brisbane mad? IS this what you want me to support or condone? Dream on! Not all of us are ignorant, unethical and unprincipled. Freinds don;t allow freinds to drive drunk.. They tell them that they are drunk and take the keys from them instead of allowing them to go and kill themsleves and or others.. If you can understand this analogy.. My guess is you can’t.

    • I&I
      December 2, 2010

      Good one my dear. You hit the nail right on the head.

  8. Tryphena
    December 2, 2010

    Knowing the minister personally, I do know she means what she says and will do everything in her power to get this done.
    We as Dominicans can not keep depending on the elected ministers to do it all. We must come together and fight these abusers! Seriously!
    @mouth of south, talks must be held it is the procedures in everything in every part of the world talks will be held in order for things to be perfectly clear about the directions taken for such important matter..

    • mouth of the south
      December 2, 2010

      i agree wat u say,,,but u have to agree in d.a we suffer from talkasiorasis,,,,this is the continuous talking of issues by elected members n never doin any action,,,,only to end up talking about the same issue later at the same function,,,,,,,,,

      so we have developed a ‘whatever’ attitude whenever ministers come with sweet talk

    • $
      December 2, 2010

      If we do not have PROPER LAWS against sexual offenders how can WE “fight these abusers”?
      What must we do, go arround holding protests to no avail, or rather ”peaceful” protests?
      We as citizens can only talk and cry and beg…. BUT at the end of the day it’s the people like Gloria Shillingford who form our Government who have to take the mantle and SEE THAT THINGS GET DONE AND THAT THERE IS NO PREFERENCE AND NO LEEWAY IN THE LAWS OF THIS LAND.
      YOU SHOULD KNOW BY NOW THAT TALKING WILL GET US NO WHERE IN THIS COUNTRY TRYPHENA.

  9. BTW
    December 2, 2010

    “Unacceptable” is not enough Big Nose Woman. Our judicial system needs to lay NEW and HARSH laws on the table with no preference; Gloria, address the problem head on and at the root; don’t just blindly read something a little secretary in your ministry type for you and go on with you good time. So because a child molester says he’s a Christian we should give him 175 hours of Community Service and call it a day? C’mon woman, when God was giving nose you take, why you did not take brains too? .

    • Concerned parent
      December 2, 2010

      Why did you have to go there. Her “big nose” did not keep her back….She is a minister you blowhard.
      Stick to the point you want to talk about and stop criticizing people about their appearance. @ BTW

      • BTW
        December 2, 2010

        I got two words for you: BLESS YOU!!

  10. mouth of the south
    December 2, 2010

    i’m getting tired of all dem talk dere and no action 4 real,,,,i don’t want to hear talks held at big meetings,,,everyone does them just to look good n organized,,,i want to hear a closed door talk was held concerning child abuse between the ministers and representatives of organisations responsible for the protection of children,,,,so as to bring about changes in legislation to protect children,,,i tired of all dat talk talk talk talk talk talk sssshhhhheeeeesssshhhhh man,,,,and the pic on the previous article of the said minister was mmmmuuuuuccccchhhhh better,,,,dat one looking like looking like uuummmm i’ll keep it to myself!!!!!

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