Local non-government organization which advocates for the vulnerable, Lifeline Ministries, has called for across the board reform of legislation in Child Protection Procedures in Dominica.
Executive Director of the organization, Tina Alexander, said among reforms needed are the amendment to the Sexual Offences Act and a Family Court.
“We expect to see the amendments to the Sexual Offences Act passed in the House of Assembly very soon. It has been too long,” she stated in a release on Tuesday. “We need to move towards a Family Court, keeping the needs of the child to the fore and policy makers need to take a long-term view towards prevention of abuse, introducing healthy parenting practices and conscious discipline alternatives for corporal punishment.”
She stated that Lifeline Ministries stands with other agencies in society “calling for mandatory reporting and ethical behaviour from all those who are in positions of responsibility.”
“We do not stand with those who abuse children; those who are accused should be suspended from their positions until their guilt is proved,” she said. “Their reputation and that of the victim should be protected until the court proceedings are complete. There is no place for insults or gossip, slander or even discussion of confidential matters in the public domain. We stand together with the victims of gender-based violence and promise to walk through the minefield of disclosure and prosecution with them on the journey to survivorship providing safety and connection until they finally join us as advocates.”
Alexander said Lifeline Ministries will be holding Advocates Day on Wednesday 6th July from 2.00am – 8.00pm at the Public Service Union Building on Valley Road.
Among items on the agenda are a round table policy discussion, films, speakers in the afternoon and the graduation of the current class of Victim Supporters.
“The evening with culminate in a pot pourri of creative pieces from our Dominican artistes expressing their solidarity. It will be possible to come join the programme at various stages as people are available,” Alexander said.
Anyone interested in participating should call 4498593 or email [email protected] for information.
“It is possible to join the proceedings at 2.00pm for the workshop, 4:30pm for the speeches and graduation or 6.30pm for the solidarity performances,” she stated.
Very courageous and impressive work on behalf of our children, Mrs. Alexander! Your perseverance and stedfast faith in a our democracy will pay off in the end.
Is that legislation going to stop the nature of child abuse in Dominica/ NO!
This Life Line Ministry need to rally round other NGO`s and rally and protest Skerrit`s office and his corrupt abusive government for the economic and Red Clinic abuse they have imposed on poor people, their families and the community with massive waste of monies as handouts to Tom Dick and Harriett.
Too much talk, lectures going the wrong way. Go to the source to solve this damn scurge, only if you all are so close to “My Lovely PM”, you all are so blind that you are working only in your own interest. Until I see a difference I have no life and energy to waste in Lifeline ponderous and news bulletin. Its been going on for years with no results. Where exactly is your loyalty, to the politicians or the abused?.
I support your comment. Life Line Ministry wants to be a “One Man Gang” while there are other institutions in a group, just like there is one government One Government….. One Man. Working together for one cause is like a scourge in Dominica.
What would you say to the parents and how would you say it?
We already know what the parents want.
The parents want the same things Lifeline Ministries is asking for.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
And what are you doing to make a difference?
There are three kinds of people.
The first makes things happen.
The second watches things happen.
The third asks “What happened?”
Make no mistake about this. It will take time. But at the of the end day it will be known that certain people turned things around and history will honor those who made it happen.
There is still time for you to join the ranks of those who are standing in the gap for their country. Every NGO needs financial support and volunteer workers. None deserve it more than those who are fighting to save the children.
Once to every man and nation,
Comes the moment to decide…
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
I think of it more that there are two kinds of people: talkers and doers.
Is the government not tabling a bill? As far as I read it is in the preparation stage. The best approach at this time is to communicate with parents.
Face the Facts Didn’t the government in successive budgets passed allocations to build a new State of the art hospital at Marigot? As far as I know it has been in its preparation stage since 2010. The best approach at this time is for government to go talk to the Marigot people and to start the project immediately.
Rev Hill,
All of those subjects will be covered on July 6th you are quite right! Please join with us in the NGO Coalition to call for the ammendments to be passed, we expect to see tougher sentences, mandatory reporting and a protocol for those in public office who are arrested for any offence to be suspended. This should not be discretionary it should be compulsory. Even if the offences are relatively minor. People in positions of authority have to make sure their behaviour sets the bar high for those who elect them. They are offending against society as well as against the victim and their family. We need a culture of Child Protection.
Tina Alexander and Lifeline Ministries:
I hope and pray that your Advocates Day July 6 will be a smashing success.
There are issues that some feel have fallen through the cracks but I see four in particular that I hope will win the day.
(1) Mandatory reporting of sexual child abuse.
(2) A child and family court.
(3) An online registry for convicted child molesters.
(4) Sentences that will be a genuine deterrent.
More needs to be done to see that the laws are enforced and that proper penalties are in place for those who ignore them.
A non-government organization like Lifeline is needed because the system is compromised . Dominica needs you to PUSH: (P -Push, U – until, S – Something H – Happens.
The problem of sexual child abuse is not limited to Dominica. I’d be the first to admit we have it in Canada to. It is one of the greatest scourges of the 21st. century world wide.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
(Pastoral Counselor…
I just hope that the Govt. of D/ca and those child molesters, and all their supporters take heed
Who are their supporters? People must be fair to all. Parents must counsel their children about the hazards lying in wait, the devil’s advocate and followers. They must do their utmost to protect them.
As for the molesters, if a child is walking around unsupervised and they are molested or invite them to their home and molest them, if they are caught they will have to bear the consequences handed down by the Law.
Inform the parents not to send their children on errands or allow them out late at nights..
As for teenage girls and boys, those in their mid-teens and up, they really should know better not to accept such invitations. They are called minors because they have not yet reached adulthood age but are old enough to know right from wrong. They attend school, receive religious instructions and go to church not so? I hope.
It takes two, one to ask and the other to refuse. We must also place the blame where it belongs and not be a hypocrite about it.
Face…..check these Facts. There is abuse and there is abuse, with top abusers in controlled.
It has nothing to do with walking the streets, you have not been following the arguments. It is in the home, in government ministers offices, lawyers offices etc. Have you not read or aware of the latest arrests involving two members of parliament. You are sickening with your generalisations and silly talk. Stop floating in the sky and touch down to reality, if not shut up please. One top Labour minister who was arrested was openly welcomed with open arms in the latest by elections in Soufriere on platforms and top government officials praising him as good etc with other platitudes.
I have said to you before, if have no knowledge apart of blind loyalty to a corrupt leader and government, keep you mouth shut and your opinions to yourself. Good Bye, this is a Fact.