The general public had an opportunity on Wednesday (today) to participate in an activity dubbed “Show Your Hands to End Violence Against Children” and join in the fight against child abuse in Dominica.
The activity was spearheaded by the Global Alliance of ChildFund International and was held outside the Government Headquarters in Roseau.
Children, as well as adults, signed their names on a list, then placed the palm of their hands in green paint and printed it on a white paper.
Coordinator of the West Dominica Children’s Federation Inc, Beverly Baron, told Dominica News Online that the activity was held to raise awareness of child abuse.
“We would like to see change at a policy level, we want the change to be at a level where it becomes law,because there is a lot to be done right now with regards to the law and changes to the law that are necessary in order to make persons who are held responsible pay for what they do,” she said. “You can never pay a child back for what you do to the child, but at least the family can see some form of satisfactory result come out from the cases that do go forward.”
She said also that the event forms part of activities taking place all over the world.
“This is not just Dominica, it’s activities that are happening across a coalition of international partners to have come together to try to put an end to violence against children,” she noted.
Baron stated that a lot of the cases that get to the court is just a small fraction of the true picture.
“We want to break the silence, we want to put an end to the secrecy that surrounds it, we want to put an end to people being paid hush money, we want to put an end to children being intimidated by their aggressors, we want to put an end to people being so scared for their life that they choose to stay silent, we want children themselves to be able to say no, we want them to stand up and be empowered,” she explained.
Additionally Baron said, “We need to continue to make a loud noise, continue to make the people who are being affected give them a voice to make the noise for themselves and for others who do not have a voice.”
Meantime Health Minister, Dr. Kenneth Darroux who also participated in the activity, told DNO that child abuse is of grave concern.
“First of all as a father myself it is always a grave concern when you hear of any incident of child abuse be it sexual, physical, mental, whatever the case may be,” he said. “I find it necessary to show my solidarity, my support to the folks doing this activity today.”
He stated as a father, he is very protective of his children and he will go out of his way to protect them.
“And even as the Minister of Health, the health issues associated with sexual abuse of children, whatever it is, we know of sexually transmitted diseases being passed onto kids who have been sexually abused,” he stated.
He commended the organizers of the activity and gave his word that the ministry and the Minister of Health stand in solidarity with them.
“One case of child abuse is one too many,” Darroux stated.
A number of parliamentarians from both sides of the political divide participated in the event.
Somebody is to be credited for this creative idea!
People who want to do something begin by doing what they can. If you want to be involved in the battle against sexual child abuse it is not long before an opportunity pops up.
Green means GO. Hands mean WORK. Green hands say ”Carry this work forward.”
You are raising awareness.
You are telling your government you want something done not just talked about, discussed, or debated.
You are calling for parents, teachers, and all concerned to watch of signs of abuse, and report cases when they have reason to believe abuse may have taken place.
You are sending a message to judges throughout the nation that their ”slap on the wrist days” are over.
You are calling for a law that makes reporting to the police a suspected case of sexual child abuse mandatory.
You are asking for a national online Sex Offenders Registry including the name, current address, and picture of the offender.
Sincerely,…
Did they open it to the public? I did not hear about this.
It was advertise on Radio and facebook
Everyone else is smiling but you can just see the arrogance on the minister with the suit face
Oh please… stop being like that…. u r just a narrow minded person.
Your P.M. was present.
He is an incredibly busy man. To think of his responsibilities boggles the mind.
He considered this event important enough to attend. To me this speaks volumes.
Please do not judge him for a facial expression that would have lasted maybe two seconds.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. International Evangelist,
Great initiative to all involved. Keeping fighting