Executive Director of the Dominica Association of Persons with Disabilities (DAPD), Nathalie Murphy, is calling for measures to be put in place to protect the rights of persons with disabilities.
Murphy’s remarks came in light of a video which emerged on social media depicting a mentally challenged young man apparently being coerced into calling the names of the men who allegedly sexually assaulted him.
The video gained much attention on social media giant, Facebook, and concerns were expressed that it could put the life of the young man in danger. The video has since been removed.
Murphy told DNO that the abuse of those with disabilities is real in Dominica, however it is under-reported.
“To be honest it is not something that we have been giving enough attention but yes it is a concern for everybody,” she said.
Murphy said abuse in all forms is not only a Dominican issue, but a global one.
“The problem exists not only in Dominica but in the world, so much so the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities speaks to it in an Article 16,” she noted. “It speaks about exploitation, violence and abuse and makes the point that measures, legislative, administratively, social or educational activities, would have to be initiated by state parties, the communities, the public, citizens of the countries to address the situation.”
She stated that rights of persons with disabilities and thier “physical and mental integrity” must be respected.
“Whether the person is physically, sexually, mentally, emotionally abused, measures should be in place within the state to prevent, to avoid, to recognize, and to report those abuses so that the situation can change,” Murphy said.
Meanwhile DNO understands that the person who reportedly shot the video has been severely beaten, his head shaved and has sought medical attention.
It is unclear whether the incident is related to the video.
Legislation is one thing but we also need to discuss ways to address the problem of people who just make children, with or without disabilities, and leave them to fall prey to all types of perverts?
Somehow these people seem to be emulating animals, which leave their young to fend for themselves after a few weeks. How and where do we start to change the mentality that children need to be cared for at least until they are 18? And if this is not possible, then do not make them?
How do we educate people that their children are not commodities to batter for food and other basic needs? How do we deal with someone who would molest a boy or girl to fulfil his/her sexual needs?
We will definitely need a united Dominica to address its societal challenges. The voices of division that daily pervade the airwaves are certainly not going to help.