As the village of Grand Bay celebrated the Feast of St. Isidore (Fete Isidore) over the weekend, Executive Director of Lifeline Ministries, Tina Alexander, urged parents educate their children on abuse in order to ensure that all cases are reported.
Speaking at a Crime Stoppers rally, which formed part of the celebrations, Alexander also encouraged those who have knowledge of ongoing abuse to call the organization and make a report.
“We need to make sure that the children are free to tell,” she said. “Talk to your child; listen to your child; believe your child. And when they tell you that something is happening to them, don’t cover for the person. If you’re scared to tell, call Crime Stoppers—let them do the telling for you.”
Crime Stoppers, available at 1-800-TIPS[8477], is a hotline for the purpose of reporting any information on any type of criminal activity. Each call is answered by a professionally trained attendant, at a call center in Canada.
Alexander noted that children often do not come forward because they have endured abuse for an extended period of time, and consider it the norm.
She also stated that persons fail to report abuse when the abuser is within the family, in an attempt to protect the abusive family member.
She asked that persons dare to be strong and refuse bribes offered as a means of avoiding legal action.
“I’m noticing that families are being put in a situation there where they’re offered money not to go to court,” Alexander remarked. “I have to tell you, this is wrong. This is selling your child. Please don’t do it. Please, dare to be strong.”
Chairman of the Grand Bay Village Council, Edward Registe, stated that the community must develop into an environment where children feel safe.
“The young people themselves have to feel unafraid to express what is happening to them. And so, we have to create an environment where they feel safe,” he commented.
He commended Crime Stoppers, for their effort in creating a safer global environment, and asked that all children be familiar with the program’s number, to afford themselves the opportunity to be better protected.
Founded in 1976, Crime Stoppers currently exists in over 1,200 programs, in 21 countries around the world.
Crime Stoppers Dominica has received over 1,000 calls since its inception in May 2013. Several arrests have been made by the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force, as a result of information that was given to Crime Stoppers by members of the public.
This also includes abusive women who abuse their partners and children.
I have this to say about parents accepting bribes to not report a case of sexual child abuse.
Single mothers with boyfriends and especially “live in” boyfriends are not reporting abuse because the man is paying the bills, or giving her gifts, or money on the side. Sometimes he is paying or has offered to pay for the child’s education.
Most mothers do not think of this as pimping their child but that is exactly what they are doing. There is no pretty way to say it. These women should be charged. They belong in jail.
There are situations where the offender offers to “settle out of court”. Do not be deceived by their smooth talk. This kind of behavior is criminal from the beginning to the end. Any case of abuse should be reported immediately to the police and also to Tina Alexander of Lifeline Ministries.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist. (Pastoral Counselor Certificate)
Great work Mrs Alexander. Tremendous amount of passion and dedication you display in the pursuit of Children rights. Indeed, the key to combating this plague within our society is through education.
Unfortunately, judging by the recent outbursts of several Dominicans – particularly those in positions of trust and respect, we can all conclude that the adults of this country also need educating on this subject!
Yes, UNKNOWN, the adults should be educated. They should be taught:
(a) What people, places, and situations they should encourage the children to avoid.
(b) What signs of abuse they should watch out for or how to recognize signs of abuse. Who they should talk to if they think they have a sign of abuse.
(c) To listen to the children. Believe their stories unless they have obvious reason not to! Give them no reason to think they don’t believe what they are saying. Children usually do NOT make these stories up. It is difficult for them to come forward. Many cases are unreported.
(d) Adults should be taught not to let anybody discourage them from reporting a possible case of abuse.
They do not need permission from any “higher up” to report a possible abuser. For example they do not need permission from the bishop to report a priest.
(e) Let the police interview the accused. It is not the parent’s job to do the questioning. The police are trained to do this work…