“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
13 Comments
May 16, 2008 at 5:15 am
An excellent, thorough post. Thanks for your thoughts on this important human rights issue. As the Preamble to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights reminds us, “…recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.”
Dave Donelson, author of Heart of Diamonds
May 16, 2008 at 7:17 am
Zelda: Of course, there’s no one cause that’s the total problem. I don’t think that’s what Long Bench meant either. But that point is worth considering and shows that teachers’ resistance is ONE contributing factor that needs to be addressed. I think it’s particularly significant because our educators, like parents, play a vital role in shaping the minds of the youth. They spend more time with them than some, if not most, parents, per day, per week.
Hmmm, if parents are still children themselves, then I believe they have no business becoming parents.
So, we’re back to square one again – education. Yes, for the parents, since it all starts at home. But also for everyone, whether a biological parent or not. The fact is things are so bad now that we ALL have to get involved. De horse dun gawn t’ru de gate!
Dave: Welcome! Thanks for your kind comments.
Ah, if that statement were more of a reality.
May 16, 2008 at 5:06 pm
An outstanding and cerebral post Jamaican Dawta.Longbench’s and Zelda’s perspectives regarding teachers and parents roles, duties and responsibilities, respectively, in terms of the child abuse crisis in Jamaica is well comprehended by this reader.Interestingly, both perspectives are well argued and as you eloquently and rightly contend “there’s no one cause that’s the total problem,” and in essence, they are not, and may not be mutually exclusive. Indeed, the problem of child abuse in Jamaican society is enormous and monumental.Nonetheless, as a people and a society, we need to start addressing how to resolve this garagantuan task.Certainly,the proverbial horse has already gone through the gate,but the work is still at hand and confronts us daily.Also, the only way to address or tackle this problem is a massive pedagogical revolution,meaning;education, re-education,and re-socialization of Jamaican people, touching all walks of life and penetrating all the nooks and crannies of Jamaican society where ignorance abound with respect to this salient issue.Admittedly, your analogy of Martin Luther’s 95 theses is extremely apropos.Because, Jamaica is desperately in need of a revolution or some form of radical transformation, or, metamorphosis regarding the question, problem,and issue of child abuse within our afflicted and troubled society.Interestingly,if we as a society can bring about this revolution,one is of the perspective that we would immediately see over a period of time, a significant decrease in the high incidence of crime,violence,murder, mayhem ,and socio-pathic behaviour and tendencies extant in our society today.Because, and remarkably so, there is a strong and significant correlation between the incidence of child abuse, which in Jamaica’s case most such incidents and experiences are undocumented, and the astronomical high incidences of crime, resulting in us,Jamaica, being the murder capital and killing field of the world. Jamaican Dawta ,mi seh fi mek the list and mek wi nail it to every school,church,house,government building,Parliament,rum bar,dance hall and disco.Interestingly,you have already taken on the vanguard role in this process of reform via your excellent post.RESPECT!!
May 17, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Esteban: As usual, well said! Appreciate your insight and kind comments.
So, when are you going to start your blog?
May 17, 2008 at 4:46 pm
I am still thinking about it, but as indicated previously,when asked a somewhat similar question by you at the end of 2007. If I remember correctly,my response was, that I am the original or prototype procrastinator and such a psychology on my part, could ,or, may result in defeating the purpose and objective of starting a blog.Also, the books which I alluded to, in terms of reading for the year 2008, I am still re-reading the Bible and the others are on hold for now.Interestingly, having re-visited the Bible at this stage or passage in my life,it appears much more comprehensible for me today,even as a skeptic philosophically speaking, than when I attended Sunday school,church and chapel each morning while in high school.Quite frankly, I think the reason for this, is that I am reading it on my own volition as opposed to being forced or required to do so.Back to the question of the blog,with your insistence, I may just get the ball a rolling.RESPECT!!