Local media practitioners on Tuesday were being trained at a workshop on reporting the issue of child abuse in Dominica.
Child abuse is a societal ill and according to Coordinator of Child Abuse Prevention Unit Jemma Azille- Lewis, the issue is a growing concern in Dominica.
She said in order to combat it, a multisectoral approach, which includes the media, is needed.
The objective of the workshop is to educate media practitioners on the different forms of child abuse and their effects and to learn how to respond to child abuse in different communities in terms of reporting these incidents.
“Focus will also be placed on the findings of an opinion poll which was done by UNICEF in Dominica on corporal punishment and child sexual abuse,” Azille-Lewis said, staring further that there is also the need for strengthening of applicable legislation to discourage and penalize perpetrators and persons who try to pervert the court of justice when child abuse incidence are reported and investigated.
She stressed the importance of the media in combating child abuse.
“We know that in order to get the message out on the issue of child protection, we need the media and in so doing we need the media to get the right message, which is to protect children, and to ensure that double victimization does not occur with the child nor the child’s family,” Azille-Lewis said.
She stated children are faced with several forms of violence almost on a daily basis in Dominica.
“Some of this includes sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect and abandonment, physical abuse,” Azille-Lewis explained. “And this violence against our children, it knows no boundaries in terms of the age and it occurs in every setting, every class. Some forms of violence against children, it leaves no marks, so sometimes it makes it even more difficult to identify.”
She revealed that children are affected in various ways by child abuse.
“Their emotional well being is affected, psychologically they are affected, and depending on the severity of the abuse, some children even suffer disability, some children die from child abuse,” she remarked.
Azille-Lewis said she expect by the end of the workshop media practitioners in Dominica will become empowered, “to protect our children by spreading the word to the public that one child abuse is one too many.”
Meanwhile, she pointed out that in spite of many challenges, a lot is being done by the Social Welfare Division/ the Child Abuse Prevention Unit to help combat child abuse on the island.
Some of the strategies involved include; the successful implementation of community outreach programs such as parenting programs in various communities; education sessions in schools, pre schools, primary schools and secondary schools; educational sessions with PTA’s; workshops with community leaders and also sports officials, specifically cricket coaches; therapeutic services for the survivors of child abuse and their families; reentry of teenage mothers into the educational system, among others.
I hope that my great region was represented as any other community.
I am proud to be from Pte Michel with dos dan links.
If i was a media person I would have attended or send someone.
I think umpires and futball referees and coaches etc could be requested to attend
When the abusers are reported ,there must be a solution ,the punishment does not suit the crime what sence does it make ? If bribes are taken from the criminals ,the parents are also encouraging the crime ,they should be punished also.Where are the leaders ,the law needs changing ,it is not good ,it simply encourages more abuse..
be held criminally responsible. Enough is enough. Children in Dominica have endured abuse for far too long by those entrusted with their welfare. An emotionally damaged child grows up to be an emotionally unstable adult; and little wonder, we have so many sick people in the system who continue to prey on these defenseless children. Wake up DOMINICANS; DEMAND LEADERSHIP FROM YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS. THESE ARE YOUR CHILDREN AND LEADERS OF THE NEXT GENERATION.
particularly as it relates to child sexual abuse, specific legislation relative to this epidemic needs to be drawn, and every branch of law enforcement needs to be given the tools to enforce them. Ministers of government, teachers, church leaders, law enforcement personnel, parents, and those entrusted with the welfare of our children, who engage in such criminal activity against children, must be held criminally liable and not continue to be shielded from prosecution as is the status quo in Dominica. There has always existed an alarming aura of secrecy and taboo as it relates to child sexual assault on the island, and those elements in power – the police, elected officials, religious leaders, parents, and other perpetrators who continue to violate (with seeming impunity), the humanity, dignity and value of hapless and defenseless children (who are often blamed for their misfortune), should be speedily brought to justice. Finally, any adult who knowingly fails to report an abuse shou
It is not enough to talk about child abuse. This is nothing but mere window dressing. The people in authority on the island of Dominica have been doing that for far too long. Young children, at the earliest age, need to be taught assertiveness so they can self report whenever there is an unwelcome sexual advance or attempt on them. In addition, every young child in Dominica needs to be educated as to what an unwelcome, unwanted, and unhealthy sexual touch is. This should begin in the homes and re-enforced in the schools. Even now, in the 21st century, Dominica continues to operate on the throwback of both its colonial and slave heritage, where those in power see it as their inherent right to exploit, victimize, and violate the less fortunate, and the most vulnerable. There is absolutely too much empty talk and rhetoric in the social, religious, and political arena in Dominica. If those in authority and leadership in Dominica seriously want to do something to eradicate the scourge, part