ROADTOWN Tortola BVI, April 1st, 2012 -- Fellow Virgin Islanders, during the month of April, the Social Development Department unites with other agencies and non-governmental organisations to observe Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month under the theme, “A Community in Action: Preventing Child Maltreatment and Promoting Well-Being”.
It is often said that it takes a village to raise a child, and in the Virgin Islands, many of our children are fortunate to have been nurtured in a loving atmosphere which promotes development and success. However, this is not true for all of our young people, and some adults who bear the silent, but deadly scars of child abuse.
Child abuse refers to the violence, mistreatment or neglect that a child or a teenager may experience while in the care of someone they trust, or on whom they depend. Fellow Virgin Islanders and residents, while it is difficult to understand why a person would hurt an innocent child, we must acknowledge that child abuse is prevalent in our Virgin Islands. This abuse has devastating emotional, financial and spiritual consequences on the victims and to the entire society.
Over the years, the focus of the Social Development Department has been, and continues to be prevention. This year’s international focus highlights the work of past and present advocates in the fight for total prevention.
Prevention is supporting pregnant mothers through nutritional counseling and parenting education; Prevention is eradicating all forms of violence from our homes; Prevention is providing the avenues for early cognitive stimulation; Prevention is supporting families and communities in raising healthy and productive citizens; but more importantly prevention is sending a stern message to offenders that no form of child abuse will be tolerated.
Fellow Virgin Islanders, last year the Social Development Department received thirty eight (38) reports of alleged incidences of child abuse. These included verbal, physical, sexual and neglect. I pause to applaud, salute and commend those agencies and personnel who work tirelessly to ensure the continued safety of our Territory’s children.
We must continue to work collectively to safeguard the wellbeing of our children and as your Minister for Health and Social Development, I challenge every citizen and resident of the Virgin Islands to become involved in the prevention of child abuse.
Mentor a young family; volunteer as a Big Brother or a Big Sister; be an advocate for child victims and apply to become a Foster Parent; volunteer at one of our schools or at church to provide assistance to other children in need; or donate used clothing, books and toys to your local Red Cross.
It is unfortunate that all instances of child abuse are not reported and I call on the leaders in our community, our teachers, neighbors, family members and churches to help us in the fight against child abuse and to support the victims and survivors. It is said that if we stand tall, it is because we stand on the shoulders of those who went before us. So let us unite and help our children to stand tall, for our children are the future of these Virgin Islands.
As your Minister for Health and Social Development, it now gives me great pleasure to proclaim April 2012 as “Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month” in the Virgin Islands. I encourage us to become a community in action by preventing child maltreatment and promoting their wellbeing.
I thank you.
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