BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – MINISTER of Social Services Hon. Marcella Liburd has applauded efforts to create a mechanism that would improve authorities’ response to cases of child abuse.
The Probation and Child Protection Department has been developing a National Child Protection Protocol since 2006, and in its latest effort, held a consultation at the Marriott Resort and Royal Beach Casino on Thursday, May 27.
Guidance counsellors, childcare workers and other education officials were among those present for the day-long session aimed at crafting a new procedure for dealing with child abuse cases.
Probation Director Maurice Williams told SKNVibes that the protocol was designed to address the reporting, investigation, monitoring, judicial interventions and closure of cases.
He explained how it would strengthen and clarify relationships between child abuse response agencies and improve their credibility and accountability.
“It would provide a platform for a more coordinated national response in relation to cases of child abuse and neglect. What is happening is that a number of different agencies are involved in the entire process.
“A lot of overlapping occurs and so a number of cases go unsolved. With the protocol, all the relevant agencies at the appropriate time would handle a case when it is referred to them.”
Liburd urged the assembled stakeholders to continue developing the protocol, which she claimed would keep the Federation in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
St. Kitts-Nevis ratified the CRC in 1990, and Liburd said the government had made “significant strides” in ensuring that legislation and policies conformed to its provisions.
“This consultation is of critical importance as we strategise and share ideas on closing gaps in the child protection system. Relevant agencies can no longer afford to be each man for himself. We must work closely together if we are to deliver well-needed services effectively and efficiently, and capture accurate data that would inform our policies and programmes,” she noted.
Ministry officials said the protocol would be launched by the end of this month.
