Bloggers Unite for Human Rights

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“When the lives and the rights of children are at stake, there must be no silent witnesses.” ~ Carol Bellamy

Today, across the blogosphere, hearts and minds are uniting to share in a major initiative, conceptualized by a BlogCatalog.com-Amnesty International partnership, to expand a global social awareness campaign for human rights. Since I’m involved in youth work, I’ve chosen to touch on the child abuse crisis in Jamaica, and some ways in which it can be addressed when we all get involved.

It should stir up more than mere emotion and sympathy whenever we hear of instances where a father or stepfather declares his right to be the first to sexualize his daughter, because he’s the primary breadwinner. When a mother holds down her 13-year-old daughter so that her boyfriend can exact his lust on the young girl. When children are coerced to stop their schooling in order to become labourers. When toddlers are left alone at home, and we hear or read the grim report of how they perished in a fire.

It should be a matter of great concern to us as a nation, when, according to last Thursday’s edition of the Jamaica Gleaner, “the Children’s Registry…disclosed that it has received more than 700 reports of child abuse, including sexual and physical mistreatment, since the start of the year.”

What is even more disturbing is that the reported figures are usually significantly less than the actual incidences. In the February 10 issue of the Jamaica Gleaner, Mary Clarke, children’s advocate and former director of the Social Development and Gender Unit at the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), expressed her concern about “the failure of Jamaicans to report child abuse – and especially sexual abuse – to the Sexual Abuse Registry, established for the purpose.”

We have a major crisis on our hands, far more pressing than, and incomparable with that of the current rice shortage.

Most of us may be familiar with the saying, ‘It takes a village to raise a child.’ If that is the case, then we have truly failed our children. It begins with turning a blind eye, and stopping our ears. It happens each time we adopt the attitude that “is not fi mi pickney.” It is complete when we fail to speak out at the time when it is most crucial. We shouldn’t only be roused to action when it strikes close to home, when it’s the life of our son/daughter/grandchild/niece/nephew on the altar of sacrifice.

And if we’re waiting on the Government and/or the related agencies only to resolve this issue, what is our silence and inaction saying to our nation’s children and their abusers?

What can you and I do to be a part of the solution? Here are a few suggestions. I’m sure that you can think of others.

• Learn and know the warning signs.
• Report child abuse and neglect when you suspect it.
• Create awareness about child abuse and how to prevent it by talking to friends, colleagues, and neighbours.
• Start a campaign via community groups, clubs or service organizations, such as Kiwanis, Rotary, Optimist, etc. Discuss the matter of children’s safety and protection and ways to ensure them.
• Demonstrate to children that they matter by affirming them.
• Children have rights too. Show that you respect theirs.
• Be there for a stressed parent, whether to listen, or to support by babysitting or offering other practical assistance in your church and community.
• Find out what your child’s school is doing to help prevent child abuse and neglect and how you can assist.
• Teach your children how to deal with bullies and how to identify, fend off, and report attempts at sexual abuse.
• Support organizations/agencies that are committed to promoting the protection of children.

It takes a village to raise a child. What will it take to help save our children and stamp out child abuse?

“There is no trust more sacred than the one the world holds with children. There is no duty more important than ensuring that their rights are respected, that their welfare is protected, that their lives are free from fear and want and that they can grow up in peace.” ~ Kofi Annan

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Tags: Amnesty International, child abuse, human rights, youth