A Children Rights Advocate in Dominica is not too happy about a series of explicit photos and video depicting local teens which has been displayed on social media and smartphones.
Dominica News Online understood that the videos and hundreds of photographs have been reportedly leaked with some of them actually revealing the identities of the teens.
This is not the first time material of such nature has gone viral in Dominica and to Delia Cuffy-Weekes, who was speaking to the media on Thursday, the situation is a painful one.
“I guess maybe with all the talk about people having autonomy over their own bodies and all of that, then we feel that it’s my body I can do what I want with it. It is very painful because the young people are juveniles, they are not thinking like adults because they are not yet adults,” she stated. “And so they do not see that what they do in their youth can have lasting implications.”
She continued, “I mean why would a young person want to expose his or herself in such a way that you allow it to be recorded. It means that once it is recorded, apart from the person that it was intended for, others could have access to it.”
She pointed out that even when things are done with an intimate partner, “we know that human nature dictates that when you and your intimate partner fall out, they will use this against you.”
Cuffy-Weekes is of the opinion that young people are not thinking things through before they make certain decisions.
“They feel they are young, they are independent, they can do what they want and when you try to tell them ‘no,’ then it means that you are trying to kill their joy and it is just very sad that this is the way our society is going now,” she remarked.
She said society as a whole needs to rise up to strengthen calls against such situations.
“Well it has to be the entire society rising up and saying that this is wrong,” she noted. “It cannot just be a few lonely voices in the wilderness. Some of the young people when they will hear my voice they will think, ‘there she goes again, she has lived her life and now she is preventing us from living ours.’ They do not understand or appreciate what it is that we are trying to do for them.”
Cuffy-Weekes noted that she is not saying young people should not have fun but they must think of the impact that some of the fun, which may take a few minutes, will have on the rest of their lives.
She is making an appeal to members of the public to start looking out for the young people and “do not wait until it comes home to bite you.”
“What you need to do is start looking out, let us go back to the days of it takes a village to raise a child and don’t tell me that because you are 16 years and the law says that you can give consent that you should be allowed to do what you want,” she remarked.
In January 2013, Cuffy-Weekes, launched a petition targeting 50,000 signatures by November 25th to raise the age of consent in Dominica from 16 to 18.
That petition was launched in light of an explicit video involving teens in Dominica which was being circulated via social media.
Here we go again…People it’s only the good old signs of the times..To the non-believers, they won’t have a clue what I am talking about however to the true child of GOD it’s not far fetch .The enemy,The world, the flesh and the devil . MONEY which is the root of the tree. Then do you expect the branches to produce anything good,it’s only wishful thinking.Then if money is not the main focus, the flesh,the flesh,the flesh. And I won’t even bother get into the other one. For we know his resume, kill,steal and destroy. Where he can’t kill it,he’ll steal and where he can’t kill nor steal he will destroy it. In other words,he will destroy their future if he can’t get to do the others.
Governments have nothing to do with that,they themselves need help,and then who is the government??
Only one PERSON whose government will have no end, and all the others will be supported by HIM, and HE will straiten out all the mess ones and for all.
Why is the morality so LOW in a country that supposed to be a Christian country? PARENTS ask yourself a question. The CHURCH can be asked after that. People expect the church to do their jobs for them. Well if you haven’t promoted morality in your household, don’t be surprised. The force of the world is very big compared to the force of the church since most of you agree with the bizarre laws in the world, even live them, and ignore those of the church. Your children see. If the young people are following the ways of the world then why be surprised about the video. This is what happens.
Such pictures are of no benefit, morally and spiritually to no one. They should be denounced by everyone.
It is not a matter of having a free mind to do as they like. It is a matter to ensure that society and the world in general is free of pornography. such pictures.
Those who are involved with them have no pride. They are a disgrace to the society they reside in and should be ashamed of yourselves. If you continue this, one day you will pay dearly.
You are also contaminating the minds of those who see them especially the youths, causing them to sin and leading them into sin.
The government should not hesitate to enact a law against them.
Those who are overall involved and also in distributing them should be charged. Government of other countries do so why not the government of Dominica? It is time to do something about that.
Get ready for more pics now we have gotten unsupervised tablets from the government. Yeahhhhh
This kind of stuff happens every where, stop wasting valuable time and move on you small and closed minds..Wake up it happens everyday..
“They feel they are young, they are independent, they can do what they want and when you try to tell them ‘no,’ then it means that you are trying to kill their joy” —– From News Article—-
In the first place those young people have no “joy” at all but that is what they are searching for, except that they are searching in all the wrong and the worse places. Those who are entertained by that behavior of theirs, are they who are making matters much “worse”.
Joy is an aspect of the Spirit, in that God alone can give us Joy; and when we have it, nothing else can overcome that “Spiritual filling” in fact, with God’s joy in us, we will become immune to the demands of the flesh and the things of worldliness, all that matter is the Joy of God and His Ways of Life in Love
With the introduction of technology, we are yet to reach that climax of that evil, wicked, and sinful disease which has plagued this world–let us call out to God as loud as we can do so.
I grew up without all of that worldly vanity of today. But my siblings, my cousins, my friends and fellow school mate, were the happiest group I will ever know.
Our fun was in everything natural–pertaining to leisure and relaxation–our parents would join with us as we played and relaxed together.
Today I can say that the youth of the mid 1960’s to the mid 1980’s in my home village for sure, have been the best. I am still a happy going adult, thanks to God, my Lord, for His feeding of Joy and Peace, in Love, to my awakened soul–hungry for His feedings.
The mind condition of man, today, it is not about “Joy” and “Life in Love”, it is about “money” and the “worldly god”. The natural man–young and old– will tell us: “It is my life and I will live it as I am pleased”–what he doesn’t know is that he has no Life at all– the reason for the way he is–for the things of the Spirit of God is foolishness to him; how can he claim Life without claiming God.
Bla Bla Bla. its plain.. there is nothing that can be done.. absolutely nothing. increase in technology, increase in education and increase in instruments of destruction are the same. the same tools that we give our children our students our loved one to educate and advance themselves are the same tools that they will use to destroy themselves. Total destruction is inevitable. The prophet Bob Marley said so.
I have seen some of the pics and they are very disturbing. these people should be brought to justice. some of girls in there look so young and i am trying to wonder why would they take their precious time to do these things and for who and for what.. and oh lord where them children getting them kind skills and them size of animal and looking so innocent..
these people need prayers.. alot of it..
Of course these things must happen and even worse. Doesn’t the West promote nudity and walking half naked in the streets. When a woman walks covered and doesn’t expose her body, she is made fun of and mocked even more by the women than the men.
In the schools and churches there is no separating of sexes, no promotion of sex before marriage. Test drive as they say. How taboo you seem when you wait for marriage. The songs, the concerts promoted, the jams.
The way of life in Dominica. You scratch my back and I scratch yours meaning exchange of sexual acts or “these type of friendships with men for favors.
We are so into the American way of dressing, lifestyle , music and to top it all of our people are so ignorant and poorly educated in a rounded way.
And these things shock us. REALLY!!
Time to wake up.
Maryam, I believe that many of us are losing our minds. By that I mean that there is no more common sense in some people these days. Someone once said that common sense is not common. I think that many people are just too lazy to think for themselves so they let others do it for them.
I also find that many of us have lost the way of our ancestors and have taken on the ways of those who captured, enslaved and sold them. We believe that beauty is to dress a certain way and to look a certain way. We have allowed others to dictate to us what we must wear, eat, listen to and how we must think.
Why can’t we be leaders like our ancestors once were and stop seeing ourselves in every body else’s image? Beauty is not what is seen on the outside but it’s the other way around.
If most women would stop exposing themselves, had some morals, character, worth and self-esteem, then they would not become victims.
We all need to set the example for the younger generation.
HOTEP
I You must be Muslim Take that nonsense back to where it came from. WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF THE FREE WE CALL IT THE WEST AND I LOVE IT.?
In a democracy we have the privilege of working to change things in government we perceive to be wrong, or to change the government itself. The government in office is the government the voters put there. What are you fussing about?
I share Delia Cuffy-Weekes concern regarding inappropriate pictures posted on social media and want to commend her for her work. We have the same problem in Canada. We care about it happening in Dominica because such pictures can be viewed anywhere in the world. We must inform our young people that this is dangerous
They should realize that difficult as it may be some sick mind may track them down (even somebody nearby who recognizes them) and decide to pay a visit.
Once a picture is posted it can be out there for a long time. Young person please think of the following.
These pictures get passed around.
What if one stops a landlord or landlady from renting to you someday?
Or gives an potential employer reason not to hire…
Continuation …
Or causes a college or university to refuse your application?
Or stops a decent guy from asking you out?
Or somebody in a group you would like to be part of recognizes you and spreads it around? Because that is exactly what many if not most of them would do, and they could make life very unpleasant for you.
If you don\’t think this is serious I should tell you a young lady in Canada committed suicide when she realized some bad people had her pictures and were determined to mess her up.
What if a picture falls into the hands of your own son or daughter in the years to come?
Young person I am not judging you. When I was a teen I did some STUPID things, thankfully nothing that closed the door to my future. I am a grandfather now. I don\’t want this to happen to you.
God bless!
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
Every one has the rights to do what ever they wants to do in society, as long as they are not in the 10 percent of the families who makes all the product we consumes. All we will ever do is not discuss how we make any thing or control our destiny. 90 percent of our lives is wasted on talking about toxic nonsense that does not create nothing, all we do is consume and give the rich people the little money we are being paid. ? When is the Dominican going to create a new phone, or build a fishing trawler, or refine chocolate, our entire life on this planet is spend doing nothing, but getting every body rich. When are we going to start thinking for self. Lime takes all our money what do we get by talking on the phone.
You have the right to go to school to learn how to type AND read proper English. Please do that and come back strong with something I will be able to read and understand….IDIOT!!!
Ok Mr Or Mrs OXFORD you got the point though…?
Lol, I’m sure older folks are glad they didn’t have social media, and Camera phones during their generation… All the silly things and their business would have been recorded.
I often say if our grandparents and other ancestors were alive, they would be shocked. It shocks most of us (I hope all of us) who are no longer teens and over.
We would be better off without some of the technology and we could do without them. Look what some do to the brains of some people. Expose themselves in different ways for the entire world to see. It is scandalous. Is this not a shame?
Electronic Crimes and Data Protection legislation! Where is the passage and enactment of the legislation 2 years on? https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/crime-court-law/cyber-crime-act-address-online-porn-related-material/
Since 2011 we are hearing about all the laws to protect us online https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/technology/govt-drafting-more-legislation-for-ict-development/
Where are they?
Thank you. It is our own legislators letting us down.
Should those who take those degrading pictures and post them online not old enough to know better? They are responsible for themselves. Are they babies who do not know what they are doing? There should be a charge against them for posting these illicit pictures.
Can someone PLEASE explain to me the thought processes that goes on in the head of some unmarried people (both adults and teenagers) that causes them to take naked pictures of themselves and send it to someone else?
I’m struggling to comprehend the kind of DOTISH thought processes that lead such persons to do these DOTISH things.
Could someone also explain to me why do people feel that the world needs to be regularly updated about the mundanely repetitious and irrelevant things going on in their lives? So for example, some people when they cannot fall asleep feel the best thing to do is to take a picture of their restlessness for people to see. I mean really
Phew.
There are some people always claiming to have haterz galore (whether imagined or actual) & how them ain’t care about people views of them yet they are the very ones burning up the internet with narcissistic portraits of themselves (aka the selfies) as they seek public affirmation about themselves.
…smh…
It is called LOW SELF-ESTEEME
@My-views – But hear joke nuh. I’ve read on some media in recent times that women who are not afraid to pose nude infront of someone else or take a naked picture are just expressing their high self-confidence and are not ashamed of themselves.
……
:lol:………(smh)
Here’s something to talk about instead of skerrit’s Versace shirt……we keep hearing about all these countries donating money to DA when will it start being put to good use?……we as young people need to put our heads together to see what better ways we can help our country…in other news tell the corrupted Government to free the Marijuana and invest in it
No person ever became a better person from smoking marijuana. On the contrary some have gone from marijuana to heavier drugs. Others have brought bad health upon themselves. Students have experienced a drop in grades. Some involved in serious crimes have been found to be under the influence of marijuana usually mixed with other drugs.
No state, province, or nation has become a better place to live because it decriminalized or legalized marijuana. I wish you people would consult your brains and do your homework before you make such irresponsible statements. You are building the world your grandchildren will have to live in.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
You are an uneducated idiot, thank god people like you are Dying out.
I made it:
Than you for reading my comment and responding
You are not sure of yourself or you would use your name.
People who know me would not say I am uneducated.
Most who have read my four books and my articles published in over 40 newspapers and magazines in Canada and he U.S.A., who have attended my classes given in Bible Colleges in Canada and the U.S.A., and sat in my crusade services in North America, Central America, and Europe would not say I am an idiot.
But this is all you have to offer. You give me no facts – the things that dialogue, discourse, and debate are made of – obviously you are not an academic.
If you even knew the statistics you would know my tribe is increasing not dying out! My denomination (the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada) is the fastest growing evangelical denomination in the nation. We are part of the World Wide Assemblies of God Fellowship which is 67,000,000 strong!
Sincerely, Rev. Dr. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
You people need to wake up and realize this is 2015 and everyone has their rights to do what ever they want if you people don’t want to see it don’t look for it…..let me tell allu Dominicans something about freedom its supposed to be the right to feel free to do whatever you want if allu Dominicans keep following in Americans system of living and think ally have the right to dictate somebody life allu wrong these kids don’t look under age….let people live talk to allu own kids they might be worst
@guest…..Who cares? You have the right to expose your CAT AND/ HORSE where ever you want. AA, you free wii. No-one is holding you back nuh you not in jail. People just advising eh.
We are not alone in the world. The world does not belong to one person. There is a limit to it and in doing anything.
Those pictures are pornography and should not be circulating at all. People must think twice prior to taking such pictures and posting them online. The critiques are for your good and such people. Those who are matured and considerate of others will comprehend that.
God gave each of us a free mind. I have stated this same free mind will either save us or condemn us. When they die and on Judgment Day, may they not regret it to their eternal detriment.
The only freedom we have is in Our Lord Jesus Christ. Anything else is not freedom.
No one is dictating to you. You are free to do as you like. One day, some will either be happy they paid heed and others will regret that they did not pay heed. You choose the path.
Now all the vulnerable teenagers have been given a free tablet! This is very sad indeed. The new tablets seem to be being used for the wrong reason! I saw on social media a young school girl being bullied, the whole thing filmed by the teenagers! So very, very cruel! The free tablet idea has backfired, this is just going to lead to misery.
It was happening before the tablets. You just a miserable person fishing for something
Vera sorry to say but you sound like a real illiterate fool. Any kind of negative video’s you can think of has been being made for a veryyyyy long time in Dominica. People like you with your jealousy, hatred and wickedness need to stop making Dominica sound so backwards when we are not. Dominican have had tablets, cell phones, laptop which all have video cameras on them, for years longgggg before the government decided to give out the free tablets. So stop your ignorance and stupidity.
Hmmmm….interesting. Monkey see monkey do.
We appreciate the advocacy and wisdom Ms. Cuffy-Weekes continues to offer. Perhaps it may be possible to sponsor her training as a facilitator with Darkness to Light http://www.d2l.org/site/c.4dICIJOkGcISE/b.6035035/k.8258/Prevent_Child_Sexual_Abuse.htm#.Vio37X6rTIU
Hypocrete
The situation is beyond people what they want with their own bodies, but it should have serious implications for the person(s) who made the video and distributed it, as well as the other persons who use their smart phones or other electronic devices to distribute it. Everyone should be held accountable.
We need to strengthen our existing laws as well as introduce laws dealing with the distribution of pornographic material by computer or other electronic means.,
What is wrong with people in Dominica. How did this comment get more thumbs down than up? So people don’t think that it’s wrong that people are deliberately spreading something that degrades someone’s personal life especially since it most likely got out without their consent? But of course with all the self righteousness that dominicans preach they’re the first to look for those videos/pictures and spread them around so everybody can take “kixx” on the poor victims. Bunch of hypocrites
I could not have said it better. This act is actually promoting child pornography. Any man who would send these videos and even store them on their phones should be jailed, period. Jesus is the answer for this world today. We are indeed in the LAST DAYS>
Wife of an Officer:
I totally agree with you.
This IS child pornography. It should be dealt with as pornography.
Only the government through its laws, police forces, and courts can stop it. Until the government stops sitting on its hands and does what they are paid to do we can only pray and wait. And of course LOBBY, LOBBY, LOBBY! We can make phone calls, get petitions into circulation, write letters, run an ad in a newspaper, and may be even picket or march.
I wonder if there is a way to control or keep tabs on who these phones are sold to? Would it be possible to check them every so often to see how they are being used? Just wondering.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
It takes two to tango. Don’t just put the blame on one. Everyone is free to do whatever they want with their bodies, they are grown . We are only quick to blame when things go wrong
Dear DNO..
The Dominican legal and police authorities as well as the Children Advocacy Groups may want to look at closely this very recent case in Tortola, BVI:
http://bvinews.com/new/update-masa-charged-in-sex-video-probe/
Interesting
Why preach morality when our Govt is corrupt? You just wasting your time, it makes no sense, I would just check myself and leave these people alone.
you cannot blame the Govt for every thing our young people are very wild,i have a little sister and she beyond wild…
The government doesn’t even make up 0.05% of the population of dominica. Why should we as a people parttern our morality on people whose job basically forces them to be corrupt?
Jagland, you think you are funny pathetic jackass .
Really? Thorbjorn. With attitudes like these no wonder we are in the shit that we in…