The Non Governmental Organizations (NGO) Coalition for the Protection of Children and Youth continues to raise awareness of child sex abuse with its fourth Town Hall Meeting to be held in Marigot.
The meeting is scheduled for November at a date to be announced soon.
Acting Secretary of the NGO’s Coalition, Tina Alexander, explained what will take place at the meeting.
“People will be able to share their experiences of reporting sexual assaults and how they are recovering from that, and whether they feel there should be any changes to the laws or the procedures…,” she told Dominica News Online on Wednesday.
The NGO Coalition is encouraging resident to use the victim support system services that are already available to help young people.
Alexander said the Coalition is of the view that there should be changes to the Bail Act, to the court procedures, and also for a family court should be put in place on the island.
Meanwhile, Chairperson of the NGO Coalition, Delroy Williams told Dominica News Online that a meeting is scheduled next week to discuss the Bail Act.
“From there we will be presenting it at the next Town Hall,” he said.
The Coalition hosted its first Town Hall meeting on May 20th at the Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU) building in Roseau, the second was held on June 10th, at the Prevo Cinemall, while its third was held on July 15th at the Credit Union Building in Portsmouth.
The authorities need to look into the sexual abuse of young children in the Kalinago territory. It is happening and the mothers are taking money to keep quiet and the children are suffering. They threaten the young girls and I know this for a fact since I can identify one perpetrator. But when a mother chooses to take money what can I do?
WHY is the problem of sexual child abuse so great in Kalinago Territory
Is the rate higher in Kalinago Territory than in the general population of Dominica? Maybe not. But if so WHY?
And WHY does it include so much incest?
Until the question of WHY is answered it may be impossible to eliminate or even diminish the problem. To find the answer professional help may be needed but I expect it may be worth the cost and effort.
Are morals and values (from a Christian perspective) taught in the schools?
Are there pastors of Bible believing Christian churches preaching and teaching the New Testament code of morality to their congregations?
Is there a law that requires the mandatory reporting of alleged sexual assaults?
Is there a strong and effective police presence?
Are there qualified people the children know they can talk to if anybody acts inappropriately towards them?
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
You can identify one perpetrator? Have you given this information to the police? If not, why not? If not, you are responsible for the next child that is sold by its mother, or the next little girl or boy who is raped.
Here is what you do. Go to the office of your best newspaper. Tell the editor what you have and ask for a reporter to accompany you to the police station. There you ask for the Chief of Police or in his absence you ask for the Commanding Officer on duty. Tell him all you know. Politely request to know when it will be investigated, and let the reporter make it known that he (she) will be following up on the case.
The war on sexual child abuse will not be won until we have mandatory reporting of any allegation of
abuse. Both the police and the courts must do their jobs. This is not too much for the citizens and tax payers to ask. In the interest of responsible journalism the media should report the facts as they unfold.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill…
Report it……It is not your problem about who will or will not give evidence. Tell what you know . A good investigator will be able to get to the bottom of it even if people are being bribed or threatened. call Crime stoppers on 1 800 8477
What happened to Mr. castration? Him dead? Resurrect him, man. Problem solve. Why waist precious time wid tong all meeteen? Should be home fixing your hozzy dinner, and let Mr. Castration hangle de business.
I endorse that the Bail Act should be revised. Keep those pedophiles who sexually assault children in prison for a while. This is where they belong and hopefully they will learn a lesson not to interfere with children, harm them and tarnish their innocence.
Imagine that those who commit crimes/murders are bailed out soon after they commit the crimes/murders. Well, no wonder criminal activities increase.
Keep at it until these revised Acts are legislated. You need to keep Dominica safe and of course, especially the children.
I am of the view that if someone is a sex offender and he is accused of a repeat offence he should not be given bail. Serial Rapists do not reform.
If it a first offence and there are compelling reasons for him to be bailed this should be on condition that he stays at least 100 yards from the victim. Breaking this condition should result in immediate arrest. If this means living elsewhere so be it. Do not punish the victim. We must avoid the accused interfering with, influencing, bribing or threatening the victim to withdraw their evidence.
Keep up the fight friends……..continue to be professional and help protect our children and families from all poisoned tablets, gifts to lure young people to sexual activities and handouts that appear to compromise vulnerable and desperate mothers in need of food etc in an ailing aching economy.
God Bless
Keep at it friends, there is a lot of work to be done…..
We have to represent and protect our children
Government departments and agencies are indispensable in the war against sexual abuse and especially
sexual child abuse.
However, the value of Non Governmental Organizations (NGO) cannot be measured. You are not beholden to the government or anybody else. Your job is to protect the children and youth . You need not fear anybody! People here in Canada, especially Dominicans in the diaspora, thank God for you, and are cheering
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.