128 children sexually abused in Dominica in 2015

child sex abuseCoordinator of the Child Abuse Prevention Unit, Jemma Azille-Lewis said that statistics show that there 128 children were sexually abused in Dominica in 2015.

She was speaking at the launch of a book on child abuse at the Dominica Public Service Union (DPSU) building on Wednesday, noting that child abuse continues to be a growing problem in Dominica and is a cause for grave concern.

“For instance, when we look at the statistics for 2015, we see that our children continue to be abused in different forms,” she noted. “In 2015, we had a total of 189 cases reported of child abuse and out of that 189, 128 of these were sexual related matters. Seventy-three cases out of this 189, were children within the ages of 0 to 10.”

Based on the statistics, Azille-Lewis said babies are being abused on the island.

“So it shows that our children as young as babies are being abused. Some are neglected, some are abandoned, some are physically abused, sexually abused, emotionally abused and some children suffer from more than one form of abuse. We should be concerned about that,” she noted.

She stated that statistics from 2010 to 2015 show a total of 1,095 reported cases of child abuse in Dominica.

Azille-Lewis is concerned over child abuse in Dominica
Azille-Lewis is concerned over child abuse in Dominica

“I think this is too much,” she argued. “For a country like ours with our population, this is too much. Sadly, when our children are abused, it is by the persons whom they know, the persons whom they love, the person who they trust. The very same persons who are supposed to protect them, these are the ones who are their abusers.”

Azille-Lewis indicated that the effects of child abuse on children are long-lasting.

“Sometimes the children don’t say anything, nothing is done, parents condone it, hide it,” she noted. We have to all take a stand to stop the abuse of our children.”

She firmly believes that if all sectors work together with one focus, while making available all the necessary resources to combat this societal ill, “we can help save our nation’s children.”

Daniel said the abuse of boys is on the increase
Daniel said the abuse of boys is on the increase

Meantime Minister for Social Services, Family and Gender Affairs Catherine Daniel said the abuse of boys are on the increase.

“We often say that our girls are at risk, but the data shows that, though to a lesser extent, the boys are also at risk and it is increasing,” she noted.

Daniel indicated that in 2010 there were 39 reported cases of boys being abused but in 2015 the number has jumped to 47 boys, “being violated in whatever way.”

He stated that there are too many reported cases of child abuse in Dominica.

“Indeed child abuse has been a problem in Dominica for decades past and in recent times,” she stated. “There have unfortunately been too many reported cases, with child sexual abuse being the most relevant.”

She described child abuse as a ‘scourge that should be wiped out’ completely from every country, “and the success of the battle to eradicate it depends on the collaboration of all stakeholders.”

She said her ministry will remain relentless in its efforts, “to stop this monstrosity” through the child Abuse Prevention Unit of the Welfare Division.

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58 Comments

  1. February 25, 2016

    So far $27,418 has been raised!!”          •          DNO, your only source for news that is iit – I ndependent. Where is this information?

  2. Sweety
    February 22, 2016

    Damn shame! Nasty men!

  3. kisses
    February 18, 2016

    it have more wi

  4. event
    February 18, 2016

    It is good that we are talking about this more. Our Government needs to do much more. We as individuals need to do much more.

  5. G
    February 18, 2016

    The government can change the sexual abuse laws in this country to save our children. They have majority in the house. Make some examples out of these child abusers it doesn’t matter who they are in Dominica. I would suggest 10 years plus castration plus hard labour plus isolation in prison. Publish their picture and register them as sex offenders. When they come from prison they will run when they see a child!!!! Stop the talking!!!!!!!!

  6. Caretaker
    February 18, 2016

    Dominica is rich,beautiful and blessed. The ministers have pride to their offices so they protect it.you should have pride for your community to love and protect it as well. All the hatred, spiteful and jealousy must let go, happiness is a gift. As for Mr. Skerrit! just like a tree standing by the waters, he shall not be moved. No other person can do better for Dominica, so you better enjoy. The PM job is not for taking. About time you improve you taste and standards. Easter time is here go make a good confession with the priest, you will never regret it.Receive the body and blood of “JESUS”

  7. Looking in
    February 18, 2016

    This crap got to stop.
    When these criminals are being protected by the state and no one knows who they are, what do we expect?
    Everyone knows the victims and not the criminal. It’s time the names of the criminals are made public. This thing about the law protects them until proven guilty is pure crap.
    And the punishment to too damm soft. Public flogging is the way to go. I want to be able to tell my child, “this person is not a safe person to be around, so if you see them coming around, please tell me”.

  8. The cold hard truth
    February 18, 2016

    Dominicans putting politics in everything, let us be serious about this people

  9. Traitor Alert
    February 18, 2016

    Sexually Abused Children, to sum it up, Young men and women prostituting their bodies to experience sex with each other and with older people, when get caught in the act, it is called Sexual abuse. I’m not saying that it doesn’t happen but it is found mostly in the Western Hemisphere. Most of you who say things and blame Government need to blame yourselves, you allow your children to be exposed by what is shown on the television saturating them with the demons of the USA. You cannot blame Government. We have too many lousy parents in Dominica.

    • aangelle
      February 18, 2016

      a child is a child. if a child behave in a way not appropriate for a child, its the adult responsibility to put that child in check. not to take advantage of the situation and their waywardness. nasty adults do nasty things. #saveourchildren

  10. February 18, 2016

    The NGO COalition for the Protection of Children was not invited to this event. If we had been we would have pointed out that the number of reports of sexual abuse, 128, is encouraging. Children are beginning to speak out………What is worrying is that there were maybe only a dozen successful prosecutions. and these all related to matters from previous years. We need a trained specialised Child Protection Unit where police and social workers interview the victims together. We need a review of Social Services where by they are decentralised and given enough resources both manpower and travel allowance. We need a Family Court to fast track the cases and we need trained counselors and Psychotherapists to help in the recovery.

  11. UDOHREADYET
    February 18, 2016

    Just 1 child is too many. So 128 or one, two or eight is still tow many. The laws need to be seriously revisited and there are way too many criminals committing sexual, drug, theft, murders in this small country. Start executing/hanging these people. Bring hanging back!

  12. duck1951
    February 18, 2016

    At least we now have some statistics that we have not had in the past . That is some kind of progress . This does not occur in DA alone and is not limited to non- family alone. We must continue to educate, assist those who have been molested and severaly punish the guilty party .i

  13. February 17, 2016

    128 is what u kno about double dat alu just talkin and doin nothin about it

  14. big jeff
    February 17, 2016

    thats a shame , we need to start castrating and it will all end.

  15. out of south city
    February 17, 2016

    It is sad to say it but the truth is that our island has become a lawless one. When, or if the perpetrators are caught, are they reprimanded or do the judges just look for their money and exonerate the perpetrators? The government needs to look into the matter quite seriously without delay and put these people, who are also sick, behind bars and counsel them. I tell you, if the death penalty was still in place, less crime would be committed.
    We need to do better as a nation and be responsible parents to our children. We, as adults, should protect our children and not violate them. They are vulnerable and so they are preyed upon but we also have an obligation to protect and care for them.

    UNAPOLOGETIC

  16. Face the Facts
    February 17, 2016

    You have a problem on your hands. If you want to change this trend, get serious about it and less talking. You must decide how to act upon it.
    A Children’s Aid Department should be established. Build a house to accommodate these abused children.
    Parents must be counseled.
    The moment when it is brought to your attention, especially sexual abuse, do not hesitate to contact the parent(s).
    You should also contact the police department.
    The child (children) should be immediately removed from the house and placed in a secure home especially during the investigation.
    Whoever has sexually abused children should be arrested.
    Educate pregnant women and when they become mothers about this.
    I hope this serves as a directive for you to commence the ball rolling in this serious matter.
    I assume, with no hesitation this will require the approval of D/can authorities as the Government to set it in motion.

  17. BMB
    February 17, 2016

    That’s alarming to say the least. With the law review currently ongoing, I pray that recommendations from the Child Abuse Prevention Unit will be taken up to give some ‘bite/muscle’ to those responsible for investigating and prosecuting these incidents. Too often these cases are thoroughly investigated, only to fall through the cracks of the outdated legal frame work.

  18. Samantha
    February 17, 2016

    “….a book on child abuse…” What does this mean?

  19. Dan Tanner
    February 17, 2016

    And those are only the known, reported cases. The thugs in Dominica would have sex with a crab hole on the beach given the chance.

  20. Way to go!
    February 17, 2016

    In so many countries the real stats get swept under a rug. So could some of you stop braying, you are part of the problem. The person to poom usually smells it first.

  21. Lead singer
    February 17, 2016

    Tony, Skerrit, and those 19 ministers, should sue the coordinator of the child abuse prevention unit and charge her $1 Million dollars, for speaking out. What a shame! This report confirms that Dominica has no leadership, the people are poor, needy and destitute. Dominica sure needs a change of leadership

  22. jaja
    February 17, 2016

    I know for a fact dominican men have no respect. they don’t like grown women. i remember as a little girl grown men the way they would look at me, and had the unfortunate incidence of abuse myself. this will never stop until the law brings stiff penalties for these men who think they can do what they want. bring back the bull whip and castration. for these men to think once about it.

  23. Lead singer
    February 17, 2016

    OMG! And Skerrit them don’t like the low rating. Add those that did not report to the police and you will see where we are as a country, and where we are plunging under Skerrit

  24. Music Producer
    February 17, 2016

    We need more Karate schools in Dominica – coming soon to open one and work with the youth

  25. DA Citizen
    February 17, 2016

    All these people do is talk and more talk. Just recite statistics. Not one of them talked about specific initiatives/solutions they have put or will be putting in place that provide resources for identification, education and long-term services for those affected and prosecution for the perpetrators. Those children are the ones who lose in this whole thing. The reality is there’s nothing available to help them. Such a shame.

  26. February 17, 2016

    There were 128 sexually abused children in Dominica in 2015.

    There were 47 boys in Dominica abused “in whatever way” the same year. How many of theses were sexually abused is not clear. What is clear is that the number of boys abused had jumped from 39 reported cases in 2010 to 47 reported cases in 2015.

    Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Gender Affairs Catherine Daniel claims the abuse of boys is on the increase. “The boys are also at risk and it is increasing” she said.

    Sexual abuse of boys is almost always done by homosexual men, rarely by women. Statistics show that a homosexual man is three times as apt to molest a child as a heterosexual. A homosexual pedophile will assault more children in his lifetime than a heterosexual pedophile, and is more apt to assault the same child a repeated number of times.

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

    • February 18, 2016

      Donald you say all of this to say what? No apologies but it is folks like you and other religious authorities that continues to fail our people and pertinently our children abused.
      You religious folks know very well thst human by fear and intimidation. Religion has effectively done thst with concept of eternal hell fire and all that B.S. The same way laws and punishment is used as a deterrent.
      Instead of your fancy crap talk about 5 he need for harsh and stronger legislation. But alas if you do then you may just ruffle your comfortING red feathers. Stop this hypocrisy ,stand up for what you preach without fear of losing favor with politicians.
      Children need you not your fancy foot work

      • February 19, 2016

        Our churches and ministries have build orphanages, schools, clinics, and hospitals around the world. They have dug wells and established feeding stations. They have operated rescue outreaches and opened safe houses to help children and young women get out of sex slavery.

        Your comment implies things that are not true. The word “hypocrisy” is downright mean.

        In the early 1960s my wife and I were in Mexico with a baby less than a year old ministering to people on a city dump who were rooting to find something they could trade or sell to get food for their families. Again and again we gave them our own money. This has been the story of our lives. Now we direct a world outreach known as LIVING HOPE MINISTRIES. Nobody who knows me thinks I am afraid of any politician :!:

        I invite you to visit our website. livinghopeministries.ca

        Click onto SERMONS.

        Listen to my sermon WHAT THE PRINCES OF THIS WORLD DID NOT KNOW.

        Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.

    • Dale Nesty
      February 18, 2016

      These are some interesting Statistics ( I would also like the source of the statistics you are quoting) , and how are we so sure that this research is applicable to our island. Regardless, I am not sure what we suppose to take from that information and its pertinence. So what if homosexual pedophiles are worse than heterosexual pedophile, as far as i see it is a pedophile is a pedophile and should be equally dealt with by the full extent of the law regardless of their sexual orientation.

      • February 19, 2016

        How would bringing single foreign women to Dominica help the island?

        They would be rejects the men in their own nation had not wanted for a wife.

        The men in Dominica who would be attracted to them would be men who had not been able to form a suitable relationship with a Dominican woman. The women in Dominica who they had dated had obviously seen traits in them that made them less than desirable. The best chance these men have for getting married is to meet a woman from afar who does not know their histories!

        These couples may not fit into the mainstream of Dominican life. There are exceptions of course and some such marriages are very happy. But bringing single foreign women to Dominica is not a practice we would recommend to correct an existing problem.

        Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.

        Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.

  27. vally
    February 17, 2016

    One almost became Calyso KING. we were all happy singing etc. blame ourself.

  28. Thorbjørn Jagland
    February 17, 2016

    Layba only working when it is Linton

  29. me
    February 17, 2016

    Here’s a thought:
    encourage single, foreign women to live here and watch that number drop

    • February 19, 2016

      Do you realize what you have just said :?:

      How would bringing single young foreign women to Dominica help the island :?:

      These would be foreign rejects who the men of their own country did not want for wives.

      The Dominican men who were allured by them would be men who had been given the cold shoulder by Dominican women for reasons that do not always make them good husbands and fathers. Their best chance of getting married is to a new comer to the island who does not know their history!

      What COULD be done to minimize the sexual child abuse on the island is NOT being done by the only people who CAN do it :!:

      A law that makes reporting every case of sexual child abuse mandatory.

      A public online registry for convicted sex offenders.

      More severe sentences. Let EVERY case be an example that will send a message loud and clear :!:

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.

  30. Dorival John
    February 17, 2016

    Just now the government going to write and dispute the statistics, saying it is wrong and the figure should be reviewed to reflect a lower number.

  31. El Chapo
    February 17, 2016

    Wow, they really went over triple digits? I find that prevalent in the country ehh boy :-|

  32. ??
    February 17, 2016

    Right now, i’m so fed up listening to these people because year after year it’s the same thing and when the perpetrators get in front of a judge they get a slap on the wrist and the judge turns around and talk about a discount. No wonder we are ranked so low in protecting our children. The law may be on the books but barely enforced.

  33. Peace
    February 17, 2016

    The sad thing is that these are “reported” cases. What then is the true magnitude of the problem, since – as we all no, many cases go unreported. Time for solutions … not just tougher jail sentences … seems like we need a renewing of minds. Sad, sad, sad

  34. Thorbjørn Jagland
    February 17, 2016

    If it was Linton we would see swift action, it is only child abuse linton more important :lol: :lol:

  35. nicole
    February 17, 2016

    As I keep saying OVER and OVER and OVER, MOST times the parents are as much to blame as the sexual offenders.

    The parents are the first and most effective lines of defence. When we start getting serious and creating laws to punish parents as well as the sexual offenders, we will see a decrease in sexual abuse…

    I myself am sick and tired of reading about these kinds of sexual assaults, they should not be happening. when our legal system gets more serious, things will improve

    • February 19, 2016

      Sad, sad, sad!

      This is true. It does not only happen in Dominica. It happens in my own nation. I think stats suggest that it is more common among the poor, and those in rural areas. If I am wrong please correct me by providing the right documentation. I try to be correct and sometimes I make an honest mistake because I have been served the wrong information. Apologies.

      Mothers are often to blame. Some look the other way. Their reprobate “husbands” or live-in boyfriends rape their daughters and get away with it because they are the breadwinners or they are paying the bills. These women are literally “pimping” the children. They belong in jail along with the offender.

      Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.

  36. cameron
    February 17, 2016

    A doomed country,skerrit and tony main agenda,get rid of Lennox,while our poor kids are being molested,and does skerrit condemn the acts hell no.sad country with dvilish desires.

  37. Just 4laughter but serious
    February 17, 2016

    “I think this is too much,” she argued. “For a country like ours with our population, this is too much. Sadly, when our children are abused, it is by the persons whom they know, the persons whom they love, the person who they trust. The very same persons who are supposed to protect them, these are the ones who are their abusers.”
    This is interesting a statement. hence something radical has t be done about it.
    Does parliament has the cojones to act? If one of their own is blowing the whistle then the problem is critical I f babies are being abused Mrs Azille then the Nation is SCREWED. Who are the ones prepared to do something about it? No one. It is a systemic problem. The police as an institution was well known in the 50’s & 60’s for fathering most of the kids born in that era. In the 70’s with the emergence of the black consciousness movement. The police became” babylons” no girl wanted a Babylon it disappeared for a while only to in the mid to late 80’s when Police high…

    • Factoid
      February 17, 2016

      Cont’d
      began to become the village rams again. lol
      There is a story of a then top ranking one who invited the baby mothers to Crayfish dinners under candle light after the unfortunate would come in to ask for help with child support. They would be told how beautiful their eyes where etc. So this abuse is OLD and our society continue to play Ostrich.
      I guess lots of this took place over the carnival season. Preditors are awaiting the next fete.
      It soon come! The Wet T-shirt action is soon and many a pervert can’t wait. The structures observed during carnival Monday & Tuesday were noted and they are looking fwd to touch grab and what this fete will allow. Aren’t we screwed as a Nation?

  38. Caretaker
    February 17, 2016

    When we welcome our tiny babies to our new world, It is our responsibility to ensure that they are safe and secure. We communicate with them through signs, as they grow old, the more they understand is the better we guide them, the mothers take them to rum shop, leave them alone in the street in unsocial hours. Parents is my child, I do him or her what I want. The children are the future, get onto the parents extremely hard.

  39. Just 4laughter but serious
    February 17, 2016

    So! The opposition leader may have a point. who knows who knew ! Back in the day many a top Education higher-ups were accused of teacher( more so those jrs on probation) were taken advantage of. Guess the shoe changes feet. Like FET would say ah eh calling names afraid the act of libel.
    Go burns go you say? two dif kinds of libel that lol!

  40. Truth
    February 17, 2016

    So sad. Yes, I can unfortunately understand this. Dominica is on her knees! The PM keeps making statements on DNO. PM just stop it! We have had enough do something to make us see you care!

  41. smdh
    February 17, 2016

    perverts and predators. watch who you let around your children. A lot of if is because of the outside influences. tv, music, dances children pick up, conversations they are allowed to have with friends in public,, everything is sexualized these days and young parents who had no guidance 15 years ago are only repeating the cycle. pushing the ways, vocabulary, dress, mannerisms of adults on children, taking away their innocence.

  42. Just 4laughter but serious
    February 17, 2016

    Slight decrease in tourist stopover arrivals for Dominica in 2015 . was there a decrease or an increase in child abuse ? If there were so many kids being abused then the probability of prominent as well as ordinary people being responsible for these abuses. the range can be from john blow the the number 1 dog in the land.

  43. February 17, 2016

    Now you find out about it more but this always existed,children don’t talk about it because in a little country the victim is pointed at and criminalized with verbal abuse,some will be rejected by the society because society thinks that it is the victim fault..the law is not swift and strict enough,the abuser more or less get away with their crime with a slap on the wrists,normally the should compensate the victim and be sentenced to prison for a long period of time,but this does not happen in dominica,even murderers what out freely or get very light sentences,,,this is what the gov’t should work to improve and not building more hotels,,it is a shame on parents who subject their children to abuse ,the laws need changing in order to suit the crime..are the politicians waiting for the families to be raped or killed in order to stand up and say enough is enough?

  44. PUM PUM SHORTS
    February 17, 2016

    The country cursed and it niceeeeeeeeeeee

    Increased crime
    Increased Child Sexual Abuse
    Increased Violence

    Oh well the country cursed and it niceeeeeeeeeeeeee

    • Ask Lugay Pal Rep Roseau North
      February 17, 2016

      PUM PUM SHORTS DA was always a hypocrite place

      Increased crime
      Increased Child Sexual Abuse
      Increased Violence
      You can sum it up it is corrupt plain and simple.
      Many Many heads need to role.

  45. Shaka Zulu
    February 17, 2016

    That’s enough to keep three polie officers an four social workers busy full-time. I say set up a sexual abuse unit in the cdpf, who’s sole responsibility is to investigate and prosecute these cases. Women and children. These are just the reported cases. The blood of our children will be on our hands if we keep this up. The entire country will be punished. Probably the punishment has already started.

    • Are we screwed yet?
      February 17, 2016

      Thru the NEO DLP & it’s predecessor and the one B4 lol! LMAO real loud.
      We are screwed!

    • El Chapo
      February 17, 2016

      Only punishment that ever started was DLP :roll:

      • Traitor Alert
        February 18, 2016

        Well Hell will come if UWP take over, it will be the end of the world.

    • Dominican
      February 17, 2016

      The Police is not the problem, they do their part. Its the courts that is the issue

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