EDITOR’S NOTE: This article has been updated, as a significant part of the post was not displaying on the site due to a technical glitch. For that, DNO apologies to the author and our readers.
Of late there has been much talk about child sex abuse in Dominica with news of several recent incidents making rounds on the social media circuit.
Abuse and/or harassment in any form against anyone is despicable, but a righteous indignation is stirred when the abuse is targeted against the weakest members of society – the children. But is this really a recent problem? I beg to defer.
It is commonplace in most societies for the strongest to oppress the weak, the rich to take advantage of the poor and the most influential to suppress the voice of the underdog. Dominica is no different. If we were to question our mothers and grandmothers, aunties and godmothers, many would tell of their own current emotional struggles stemming from abuse suffered at the hands of “trusted” members of the community, and in some cases, the abuse having been meted out by family members. The abusers were police officers, teachers, uncles, businesspeople, clergy etc., and in some cases –fathers. The fact remains that most of these abuses were common knowledge, but because the perpetrators were persons who were looked up to or had a measure of influence in the home and by extension the community, those who should have looked out for the victims chose to turn a blind eye.
In our current time, there are many more children who are being abused or who have been abused than we will ever know. These victims are threatened into silence, “paid off”, or made to believe that they were the reason why the
incident occurred in the first place – more abuse. Unfortunately, these youngsters will suffer the effects of emotional trauma, just as their mothers, grandmothers, and aunties, and if we do not address this issue now, the vicious cycle will continue.
WE KNOW BETTER AND SO IT BEHOOVES US TO DO BETTER – NOW!
I am of the firm belief that we all ought to commit to being our “children’s keepers” and that trusted adults like teachers, nurses, and childcare providers, who are required by law in most countries to report suspicions of child abuse or neglect, receive the necessary training so that they can easily spot a child who may displaying signs of trauma. A great percentage of the abused live with their abuser. It is unacceptable for this type of trauma to continue to go unnoticed.
Furthermore, we need law enforcement personnel who will truly serve in the manner they have sworn to.
THERE SHOULD BE NO COVER-UPS AND / OR PASSIVITY WHEN IT COMES TO THESE MATTERS
We need judicial and legislative reforms to increase child sexual abuse prosecution, decrease the victim’s vulnerability, and maintain the defendant’s rights.
We need the support of our spiritual and other learned civic leaders who will be proactive in reaching the various demographics with the support needed in promoting emotional wellness and wholeness.
“Learn to do good; seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan, plead for the widow”. Isaiah 1:17
The establishment of counseling/treatment centers where people who need help based on their specific needs and history can be assisted, must be a priority for the Ministry of Health. We need immediate access to trained psychiatrists, sex, individual and family therapists as well as other experts who will focus on treating underlying issues and external manifestations of mental health conditions which lead to such offenses.
The truth is that it will take all of us to stamp out this diabolical scourge and we can do it if we join forces and protect our children from being further traumatized and the feeling of being vulnerable.
Will you heed the call? If not us, then who?
Jesus never chose any women to be apostles. Seems this is a title you might have bestowed upon yourself to try to give yourself some kind of authority as a learned theologian.
non the less i wont shoot the messenger. the message was well received.
Young lady you seem well rounded, beautiful and have a caring heart. However, I beg to differ with you calling yourself Apostle…..and that is a HUGE turn off.
And, I don’t need anyone to school me on the meaning of the word. This whole idea of BLACK people crowning themselves “Apostle” started in Nigeria decades ago and seems to be gaining steam here recently. Every man and woman who accepts Christ and preaches his gospel in some way adopts that title that should be reserved for the original 12 chosen by the Jesus himself. Dominica now has so many “Apostles” soon the word pastor or priest will disappear from our vocab. So, PLEASE STOP it while you all are ahead. We are cursed enough already for you all to bring on more curses.
You quickly deleted my comment. I guess you got a good ticking off from the CM, Gwa Gel, etc. You proved to me without a shadow of a doubt that you are on the DLP/China propaganda payroll. Shame on you DNO, shame on you!
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The main factor causing child abuse is abusive adults, especially MEN. Poverty and others factors are harder to deal with immediately. If we start taking these crimes seriously and have the perpetrators severely punished maybe others will reconsider. Eliminating poverty will help but not stop predators.
Apostle Norma let me put this to you. Do you think the present Minister of Education should still hold that portfolio?
I ask that question in light of the increasing number of child sexual abuse cases in the country. Let’s not forget what she directed the young, aspiring, college bound students to do to pay for their tuition. To go and shake their pampalams. I’m here wondering how many of them heeded her advice.
This woman is a peculiar character. The worst parliamentarian in Dominica with the exception of academically dwarfed, Melissa.
Two of the major factors contributing to child sexual abuse in Dominica, in my honest opinion, are dysfunctional homes and poverty. Mark you, there are other contributing factors but these two leading ones.
People become parents everyday but they are not taught any parenting skills. We have witnessed in recent times many juveniles, especially girls, running away from home. This is a clear indication that something is amiss in the home.
Poverty leads to hunger, deprivation of many basic needs, and low self-esteem. An impressionable juvenile is very susceptible to adult predators.
Collectively, as a society, we are failing our children by lax laws and indifferent attitude.
As long as Roosevelt Skerrit is prime Minister, Blackmore is his national security minister, Reggie Austrie and other toy-ministers and Emmanuel Nanthan is his passport sale director and other similar comrades in all walks of life.
Skerrit was able to go to cabinet and legalize marijuana so the paro industry movement could be established but he can’t use his popularity to protect our young girls. Yet we all heard Peter Pros on a radio station that Skerrit is on making statements … that 13, 14, 15 year olds looking good and do date we are yet to a condemnation from Skerrit, Melissa, Roselyn Paul, education minister or any of ministers of cabinet as if to suggest that Petter is right. Our country is so lost that I don’t even think there is any hope of saving it
A factor that contributes to child abuse, and one that has only recently been recognized, is Parental Alienation.
The damage done to a child by being alienated from a parent is highlighted in this report:
http://fad.lu/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/pas-uk-study_295.pdf
Mama oye, but where they getting these titles from nou. If the bible is our guide then why don’t see no female apostle nou? Maybe she is an aposle of beauty
Here is another one of those famous fence sitters or commonly known as silent Skerrit supporter. She refers to abusers of all kind of standing but she keeps silent about todays main perpetrators… Politicians and their influential friends. They shamelessly exploit the desperation of mainly young Dominican girls, they do ‘favours’ that can only be given by them in exchange for sexual favours. Why doesn’t Philbert mention these politicians? After all there are quite a few of them. Of the top of my head at least five and most of them are serial offenders. Since Philbert is so knowledgeable about the subject, surely that little matter could not have escaped her attention. Exactly that is the problem in DA, nobody dares to even mention these people let alone make an accusation because of fear of retaliation because the problem exists right at the top of the Pyramide. The reason I am not stating any names on this platform? I know that the editor wouldn’t publish my comment.
Right on the money. Go to hell, Gwa Gel and baby S. father are prime examples. I for one have no time for these people.
…but but but they are our law makers!?
Is that all? The new element which has replaced all these abusers you mentioned has never entered your mind? When a govt. tear gassed the elderly, the young and the infant in the wee hours of the morning; what do you call that? Except for your pretty dress you haven’t said anything worthwhile. Chooosssss
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My exact sentiment…like what really is the point of “these fews words” .. cant call this an article…sorry
ADMIN: A significant part of the post was not displaying due to a technical glitch. The post has since been updated to show the full content.