Describing the rate of child abuse in the Kalinago Territory as “worrying,” the Child Abuse Prevention Unit in the ministry of social affair, is seeking to forge closer ties and build a bridge between authorities and abused children in that area.
Furthermore the unit is exploring the formation of a Child Abuse Prevention Committee in the Territory which “will be responsible for implementing activities and different programs” to tackle the problem, according to Coordinator of the unit, Gemma Azille-Lewis.
She told DNO that a series of workshops, beginning on Friday, are planned for the Territory to create more awareness and to help eradicate child abuse in society.
She pointed out the workshops are part of ongoing efforts to bring to the fore the issue child abuse in Dominica on a whole.
“I see it as beneficial right now,” she said, referring to the workshops planned for the Territory. “It is a need… as much as we can get to protect our children from all forms of abuse, we have to do that. So what we are doing is that we will keep a series of workshops with child protection officers and community leaders to empower them to know the signs of abuse and what exactly the different forms of abuse are and that we can work together to help eradicate child abuse in that area.”
Azille-Lewis is worried that only some abuse reports from the Territory reach the unit.
“It is a major concern,” she said. “We have reported cases there and in terms of reported cases, only certain reports reach to us … we are very concerned about it and we think that at this time we intervene in that area.”
She noted that the unit has been doing intervenion in the schools, “but we think that it is time that we work one on one with the leaders in the community so that they can help the children too because they are on the ground and based on the reported cases that are coming to us, persons in the community are concerned as to what they are hearing and what they are seeing.”
Azille-Lewis noted that the distance and the cost to travel to Roseau for therapeutic help is proving to be a hurdle for some families from the Territory and the workshops will be of great help.
“So if we have these officers in that area, it’s going to be a plus for us … we can have the resources right there in the community for the children and family,” she noted. “It’s not going to be a fly by thing, it’s going to be continuing with as much sensitization and awareness in the Territory, because it’s definitely a need based on what we are seeing.”
The workshop is expected to begin this Friday 7th February with an opening ceremony from 8.30 at the Atkinson Resource Center and will end on February 28th with a ceremony at the Sineku Resource Center.
The Parliamentary Representative for the Kalinago Territory, Ashton Graneau, and Minister for Social Services, Gloria Shillingford, are expected to be in attendance at the closing ceremony.
People there is child abuse all over Dominica! The only reason why the workshops are being conducted in the kalinago territory is because there is need for citizens to be educated and sensitized and I hope this initiative could be done throughout Dominica. Social welfare is not responsible for conducting the workshop. As a matter of fact this is due to the concerns of two very concerned interns attached to the ministry of Carib Affairs under the NEP. I believe its a great step to wards educationg and preventing all sorts of Child abuse! So congratulations to mrs Curel Dangleben and kawana williams. Well done! It was a pleasure being invited to your worksho
Sorry to say that but finally some action is being taken in the territory after a lone time it was time someone take up the task. And i must say that the wealfare and drug prevension unit has been sitting there taking no action and now wants all d credit its not just them its the ministry for carib affairs in colaboration with welfare with special mension being made of our interns Kay, kerell and dern thanks guys keep it all
This is a good place to start
Big up to my cousin Kaywana Williams, the mastermind behind the workshops
The major problem is with the members of the communities particularly parents – the law needs to be reviewed and implement some new ones to set some good examples – real harsh punishments.. if the adults won’t help protect the children how will the children protect themselves?
all abuse is abuse. how about the teachers who abuse students.that drive need to be island wide. parents, teachers, guardians everybody stop the abuse of our children. physical, emotional, sexual, man all abuse. and when they react we brand them as rude, bad, troublesome ect ect
I think these social workers are trying to appear as if they are doing something by using this vulnerable minority as a scapegoat. I have worked on the district and the impact of those type of social workers have been greatly lacking. If they did their homework, they’d find many similar cases in neighboring Castle Bruce and environs- I cannot speak for other districts but I know of cases from these areas. I am certainly not saying that there is no problem in the Territory but to singling it out is very destructive to the people’s pride and dignity as well as how people look at them. So they better be careful about how they go out and say things about the Kalinagos because their careless approach is feeding the stigma that already exists. ‘nough said
I have yet to read a more contradictory or pessimistic comment.
All child abuse should be eradicated. It seems as if one is trying to deflect attention from that area.
Which is more important: people’s pride or the abuse of children?
I think you need to re-evaluate your priorities.
it is a form of abuse to stigmatize a group.taking away Your pride is the result of abuse!
Abuse of children happens all over Dominica and not only in the Territory. Thanks to the Government, our trained (University Qualified) graduates are willing to work as interns in the Territory to assist in raising the awareness and taking the process forward to create a safer society for the future of our communities. Cudos to you guys we are on the move!
Many fathers are involved in incest with their daughters…I don’t know if this is a cultural thing.
it is a cultural thing because it started with your generation and its still going on. This is not only a kalinago thing. it is all over the country.
can u prove that??? or are u speaking from assumptions!!
Incest happens island wide, dont single out the Kalinagos in this sh!
Happy to know that finally steps are being taken to help stop the child abuse in the Kalinago Territory.
Child Abuse is all around Dominica. We need more caring and nurturing social workers.
The authorities should particularly look at cases of incest in the Carib Territory. Some family members know of this happening and say nothing.
We need the support of the entire community
Please dispatch social workers and counsellors to this kalinago territory. It appears that the lack of police involvement vontributes these persons hiding each other ajd the womenturning a blind eye particularly when the women are submissive. Please help these innocent children.
Police? i will leave it at that !
Yes this is a very good initiative, because there are serious problems plaguing this region.
More people need to open to the inquires. Child abuse in any form must be stopped!
DNO are there persons who are appearing to be respectable in some quarters in our society that have a record or History of involvement in INCEST ( especially with first and second cousins and even if theyre under age girls) and other forms of illegal sexuality directed against young people of kalinago extraction?
There are paedophiles in our midst and they pose a danger to our children. I personally have been subjected to abuse by my educated part Kalinago cousin and this started at a very early and the same happened to my other cousins by this older cousin of ours. We depended on him for economic support since he the only yes only relative of ours at the time who had a respectable job and was raised near the city of Roseau. I think he needs serious psychological help because such abuses have not stopped because he continues to take advantage of some of my other cousins and other Kalinago kids and this is untenable. DNO am speaking from my heart and I have no one name to call but I am sure that he reads DNO and is likely to read what I am writing and henceforth my simple message to him is :
COUSIN PLEASE STOP MOLESTING US AND SEEK PROFESSIONAL PSYCHIATRIC HELP AND PRAY TO GOD TO MEND YOUR WAYS IF NOT THIS WILL GET YOU AND OTHERS LIKE YOU INTO SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE LAW.
DNO thanks much for giving me the opportunity and sexual abuse is very high in our area and family members are encouraging this type of prostitution of our kids for economic reasons.
REPORT HIM. go to the COPS or visit the SOCIAL CENTRE
The man has contacts within the law and other political circles in Dominica.
Hence some of us are fearful to report such persons.
I am however happy to bring this to the nation’s attention.
We have to be vigilant and this is getting worse because their is hush hosh money and threats of murder-suIcide and even blackmail and they also make copies of sexual activities and threaten to release those pics/videos for the social media. It is not easy and the kids are economically challleged.
Prime Minister
Please intervene, as this rampant disgusting behaviour must be stopped.
The cousin needs to be identified and prosecuted or perhaps castrated.
Urgent support must be provided to those vulnerable people.
PM please give this situation special attention he need to be reported don’t be afraid report him this have to stop I hope and this will be prosecuted
No one is above the law
Why dont You call the relevant authorities and stop allowing it to happen?
Please report this man immediately. He should not be left on the streets. I had to read this comment over and over. Just heart wrenching! Just know this is just for a while. What happens in the dark must come out in the light. Be of good courage sweetie. God is good.
STOP ABUSING people children and your children…my gosh!!! God will deal with abusers..