Keeping your children safe during Christmas

ngoThe NGO Coalition for the protection of children draws your attention to the fact that holiday times are often anything but happy for some of our children.

• Young ones are often left in the care of older siblings or elderly relatives and may not be properly supervised
– Parents should be aware that Child Abusers, “molesters” can take advantage of children when on their own and abuse them in all kinds of ways
• Children can be bribed with gifts to take part in sexual activity
– Parents should talk to their children about what they accept and who they accept it from.
• Alcohol is openly available and can be widely used during the festive season. Children can become vulnerable to drunken adults
– Parents need to be aware that Adults with bad intentions give children alcohol in order to abuse them.
• Recreational drugs and “date rape drinks” open our boys and girls to be raped and abused
– Parents should be extremely vigilant and speak to their children about being cautious and protecting themselves.
• Social Media such as Facebook, Twitter and Watsapp can be used to spread pornographic pictures. Posting pornographic images of minors is illegal.
– Parents should get familiar with this and keep an eye on their children’s electronic activities.

Have ground rules for your children
-No one should touch children’s private parts, even with a health professional you parent or guardian should be present
-Someone should know where you are at all times
-Sex is for Adults only – under 16s cannot consent to sexual activity

We alert you Parents and Guardians, Your children are your best gift.

Contact the Police 448-2222 or DNCW 4487546 if you need help in reporting or recovering from an incident of Sexual Abuse, Rape or Sexual Assault.

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1 Comment

  1. December 27, 2014

    The dangers exist not only in Dominica but across Canada (my own nation). DNO is read in Canada by Dominicans of the diaspora, and Canadians like myself who are interested in Dominica. So please do not be offended by me wading in with a few thoughts.

    I appreciate this press release and I do not think enough could be said about the subject of sexual child abuse. There are Non Governmental Organizations with highly qualified workers devoting their expertise and time to prevent sexual child abuse and to help the victims. Not only am I thankful for their contributions. I learn from them.

    At this blessed season of the year when families are coming together including people of all ages this is a call to be more mindful. Added to this is the fact in many cases alcohol is flowing freely. Adults become absorbed in their own interests, and children get separated from their parents.

    Parents should know where their children are at all times and who they are with.

    Be aware of any person who shows an undue interest in your child.

    School work should be done in school or in the home of the student. If your child is doing homework or working on an assignment with a fellow student in their home you should know who else is going to be in that home while your son or daughter is there. Know who is responsible. Understand this. If they are trustworthy people thy will appreciate your interest and concern. They would feel the same way if their child was at your place!

    No teacher should have a student come to his or her home for tutoring without the knowledge and approval of the parents.

    We do not encourage parents to allow children to go on hikes, picnics, or camping trips with a teacher, youth leader, pastor, or priest unless it is a well organized and supervised event. Parents, you have a responsibility to know who else will be going, who is responsible, and who the responsible person is answerable to. Anything less than this is poor parenting!

    We need to be reminded that there is no typical child molester. I have seen reports that show many if not most cases of child molestation involve – not strangers – but individuals known to the family. It can be a grandfather, father, brother, or uncle. Often it is somebody in a position of trust. It may be a person whose work requires them to be with children much of the time.

    Things to be watchful for is the consumption of alcohol, or a man who is known to indulge in porn. Do not let individuals influenced by these things be alone with your child.

    At this time of the year (Christmas OR New Years) children like to visit with their friends. Sleepovers are popular in my country. Parents need to be careful of these. Your child should NOT be allowed to sleep over at another home unless you know the parents and have absolute confidence in them both. You should also know who else will be in the house over night and be comfortable with them being there.

    We have known of cases where a young and inexperienced church youth director has come up with the idea of having a sleepover in he church. The problem is these activities draw children and in some cases young people from various backgrounds. Some do not have the best intentions. It is difficult to get proper supervision for such events. Unfortunately, even the supervisors sleep! I am a minister so I would be the first to say a true church is a house of God. But I must also tell you Satan has been known to enter the sanctuary! If you are going to let your children attend a church sleepover make sure you know who the supervisors are AND what the sleeping arrangements are.

    In my part of Canada to teach in a Sunday School or work with the youth in a church a person requires a police check! It does not guarantee the future. But if the individual has a criminal record from the past he (or she) would not qualify. Also the law says we MUST report to the police any case of sexual child abuse we become aware of. Not to do so will result in a penalty if found out.

    Anybody who knows or has reason to believe a child has been sexually molested should report it to the police immediately. There are no exceptions. You do not need permission from the bishop or a higher up in the church to report a priest, pastor, or church worker. There is no need to confront the accused. The
    police are trained to do their own investigation. They will not lay a charge unless they are satisfied they have a case that could stand up in court.

    Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist. (Pastoral Counselor Certificate)

    http://www.livinghopeministries.ca

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