New strategies sought to fight child abuse
The problem of child abuse in Belize is no longer swept under the rug, as in years past, but despite the efforts of NGOs like NOPCA and increased sensitisation of the Human Services Department, police and judiciary, Belizean children still resemble an endangered species. This morning a major three-day conference opened in Belize City that hopes to spawn new initiatives to protect our youngest citizens. Jacqueline Woods reports.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
Sadly, there are far too many children who do not have homes because they have been neglected and abused. However, Judith Alpuche, Executive Director for the National Committee for Families and Children, believes a multi-disciplinary approach is critical for the Child Protection System to work.
Judith Alpuche, Executive Director, N.C.F.C
“The system is only functional when all the parties are functioning. We’d had various discussions on this issue of child protection and the entire system, and we’ve come to the conclusion that the framework exists for it to work. The laws are in place more or less, and we can be creative with what exists. But what is critically lacking, is that people are not working in tandem, people are not working together and I think this conference is very timely and very critical, because this is indeed the next step forward.”
In 1993, the National Organisation for the Prevention of Child Abuse, held its first conference. Since then, mostly due to incidents like the as yet unsolved murders of a number of young girls, there has been a heightened awareness and sensitivity.
Lorna McDougall, Executive Director, NOPCA
“I think people’s eyes were open and people became very conscious that yes, we have a major problem on our hands. The problem of child abuse was here, and to significant proportions and at that time there was a public outcry, and since then, the pace has steadily increased, so that today more and more people are willing to talk about child abuse.”
The three-day conference is attended by professionals who will formulate a plan of action that will address the welfare needs of children and create new strategies for child advocacy. Dr. David Corwin, Professor of Paediatrics at the University of Utah and one of the international participants at the conference, says too often people believe the problem of child abuse and neglect is someone else’s responsibility.
Dr. David Corwin, M.D., International Participant
“In the psychological sphere of depression, anxiety, disorders, substance abuse, disassociation, all this and more have child abuse as a major risk factor. In the social arena, dysfunction in terms of lower performance in school, impaired relations with others, distrust, marital problems, sexual problems, problems of juvenile delinquency, adult criminality, all these have linkages and associations with child abuse and neglect. So that by preventing and identifying early and diminishing the adverse impacts of child abuse and neglect, a society can strengthen itself.”
One area that has been strengthened, is section 154 of the Children and Families Act. A highlight of the conference this morning included the signing of a statutory instrument that will ensure that in child abuse cases, the child’s rights are protected. Minister of Children, Women and Civil Society, Dolores Balderamos Garcia, says too often you cannot get convictions in such cases because there is no friend of the court or amicus curea.
Dolores B. Garcia, Min. of Children, Women and Civil Soc.
“A suitably qualified social service practitioner, or a legally trained person, who has experience in child protection can be present and should be present. Because if you have a vigorous defence attorney, and you have a man who has maybe sexually abused a seven or eight year old girl or boy, so many times the deck is stacked against that child. We want to level the playing field a little bit and show that we are serious about protecting children. Again, it’s not everything, but I think it’s a step in the right direction.”
Lorna McDougall, NOPCA’s Executive Director says even though the goal is to have all concerned parties work together for the best interest of children, she remains dedicated as ever to the work of her organisation.
Lorna McDougall
“I am committed to the cause to make sure that with whatever resources we have, we will continue the fight. And not only as an organisation promoting preventive measures, but as an organisation that advocates, that will continue to advocate for the multi-disciplinary approach to child abuse prevention.”
Reporting for News 5, Jacqueline Woods
Garcia says her ministry will also work towards amending penalties for indecent and aggravated assault.
