Probation & Child Protection Services
Press Release
The Ministry of Community Development, Culture & Gender Affairs celebrates Universal Children’s Day on Thursday, November 20th, 2014. To highlight the importance of this day, a week of activities has been planned.
Universal Children’s Day was first proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1954, it was established to encourage all countries to institute a day, firstly to promote mutual exchange and understanding among children and secondly to initiate action to benefit and promote the welfare of the world’s children. It was also chosen as the day to celebrate childhood and is celebrated annually. Universal Children’s Day is preceded by International Men’s Day on November 19 creating a celebration of men and children respectively during which time the positive roles men play in children’s lives are recognized.
Every child has the same human rights. Some of their human rights have to do with the basic physical needs to grow and be healthy. Some of their human rights have to do with how other people treat them. Children have the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Some of their rights have to do with their need to be cared for, to develop and be part of their communities. They have the right to an education, to express their own ideas and opinions, to access information and to participate in making decisions about issues that affect them. They also have the right to be protected from all forms of violence and to not be discriminated against because of who they are. Growing up with violence and abuse seriously affects a child’s development, dignity, and physical and psychological integrity.
• Violence against children is never right.
• Violence against children can be prevented.
• Adults are responsible for upholding children’s right to protection
According to UNICEF, every year millions of children around the world become victims of untold violence. Children in every country, every culture and at every social level face various forms of abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence. The abuse takes place at home, in school, in institutions, at work, in the community. Much violence against children, such as corporal punishment, remain legal and socially approved in many countries
Violence is a topic that can bring up strong feelings – anger, hurt, sadness, fear, shame. These are normal and natural responses to being hurt. If someone says they are experiencing violence, encourage her/him to tell a trusted adult, so that something can be done about the violence. It is important for children to tell someone if they think they are being hurt, harmed, or abused. Here are some ideas:
• Talk to a friend
• Talk to a trusted adult in person.
• Talk to a trusted adult on the phone.
• Write a note, an email, or send a letter to the trusted adult.
• Tell someone at school, like a guidance counselor, trusted teacher, pastor or coach.
• Tell a friend’s mom or dad, big brother, or big sister.
• Tell someone who answers the phone at the hotline service, at 466 5437 (KIDS) or 662-7710
The way a child tells and whom the child tells will be different depending on the situation. The most important thing is to tell someone — or even several people — until someone takes action to stop the violence.
Children who let adults know that someone is hurting them, even if it is someone they love, might be helping other children as well as themselves. Let the person know you need to talk about something in private.
WEEK OF ACTIVITIES:
SUNDAY 16th November – Church Service at Moravian Church @ 9am
MONDAY 17th November – Officers visit the schools to speak to children surrounding the topic, “Stop Violence Against Children”
Workshop titled “Media & Child Protection” to forge partnership with the Media to bring awareness of issues of children in a sensitive way by taking the Child’s Rights into perspective.
TUESDAY 18th November – Workshop titled “Media & Child Protection”
WEDNESDAY 19th November – Probation & Child Protection Staff visit radio stations bring awareness of the Violence Against Children and the Department’s mandate to protect children.
THURSDAY 20th November – Universal Children’s Day. Primary school students will be hosted by business and professional persons in the community for lunch and a visit to their workplace.
FRIDAY 21st November – Partnership of Department of Probation and Child Protection Services and Department of Gender to March through the streets of Basseterre to sensitize the community of Violence in the family and community. Children and Men are focal in the March.
The general public is invited to come out to view the street parade on Friday, November 21st, 2014 at 3pm with a program at the National Museum (Old Treasury Building).
IT TAKES COMMUNITIES TO PROTECT A CHILD.
To report suspected abuse or to become a partner in Stopping Violence Against Children, please contact the Probation & Child Protection Services at 467-1275, 467-1311, 467-1379 or email sknpcps@yahoo.com