‘The Place of Safety’ at Jimmit, described as a haven for children in Dominica who are victims of abuse, will open in February.
Employees, including eight care-givers, security personnel, and a driver, have already been recruited for the facility, according to Gloria Shillingford, minister responsible for community development.
“It’s a facility to be able to help our children, to give them a safe place for some time, children who are molested, abused and who need some sort of protection for a time until we can release them back to their homes or to foster parents,” she says.
Child abuse officer Ava Roach will head the Place of Safety, which is funded by the Caribbean Development Bank and the Government of Dominica.
In addition, the European Union (EU), through monies given to the Dominica Social Investment Fund, contributed over EC$500,000 towards this project.
Sexual abuse topped the forms of abuse against children here in 2010.
great job
truth,justice & righteousness
in sitution like that, the only person i would hold accountable is the parents. i would jail them bad cause there is no way for my child to be abuse and for me to shut up no way. so dont be made when they send them out as ambassador blame the parent cause until that child reach 18, they are responsible for them, although there are some parent where their children passes 18 or even married and they parents stil supported them (loving parents) cause those that hurt their children are worst than dogs.
I agree, the parents are to be held accountable, but I disagree with the view that they are the only ones to be blamed.. The perpetrator-child abuser, the parents, the top guns who pay hush money, and every other person who has information relating to these acts of horror are responsible.
Excellent project !!
Good luck !.
Sounds like a real good idea
Sounds like a good idea. I hope that scheme works out to be fine. All the best to the relevant individuals
For the past eight years this place has been opening soon.AT LAST HOWEVER.How many community dev ministers have said it is opening soon it is opening soon, how many budget addresses said it will open in the coming year or in a next few months. Again I say ay last. Now I hope the people working there will not be jobs for my friends but real and genuine people who who know what the are about. SO FAR ALL THE SOCIAL PROGRAMMES PEOPLE HAVE BEEN POLITICAL APPOINTEES WITH LITTLE AND SOMETIMES NO EXPERIENCE TO SERVE THESE INSTITUTIONS.KNOWING MADAM GLORIA I CAN IMAGINE THE NEPOTISM.LOOK THEY HAVE STRATED WITH AVA. BE CAREFULL .
One step at a time!!!!!!!!!!!
Good job to you guys for doing this.. Dominican kids need to be safe guarded against rapist, abusers, dead beat dads, everything negative.
All kids deserve happiness and peace
Thank you ‘Beauty Queen’ Ms. Shillingford. I must commend you for that.
Kodos for that. now what about the youths of Wesley and the crime I am yet to here your speech on that.
I must commend this very good gesture. Please remember it must be put to good use. There is no reason to construct a building and it is not put into proper use. Give the welfare department the power and authority they need to remove children who are in abusive situations. Give them the resources to investigate allegations of incest and molestation by family, friends and step parents. Give them the authority to do DNA testing when accusations of incest and rape are made. Also, make sure that cases against accused are taken on by the state and not by victims. This will reduce the potential for pay offs and changing minds. Allow for statements to be recorded and used in court so as to prevent witness tampering.
I am happy for the start and will be much happier with the follow up.
Great! This is one thing Truth, Justice and Righteousness will commend the Government for.. Dominicans should welcome such an effort.. However, are the men in high places who have victimized young girls in Dominica not going to be held accountable? Are they still going to be sent away as ambassadors? Are the top guns going to continue paying off parents to shut up when their children are victimized by these men? Prevention & accountability Gloria, let’s see some action of that to..