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Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM |
 NASSAU, The Bahamas - Officials at the Ministry of Social Services and Community Development are "well on the way" towards establishing a Children's Registry in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
The Registry will be responsible for receiving, recording and referring reports of child abuse to the Child Protection Unit of the Department of Social Services and to the Police.
Minister of Social Services and Community Development, the Hon. Melanie S. Griffin said the establishment of the Children's Registry is one of a number of measures the Government of The Bahamas has undertaken, or will undertake, to ensure the protection of children in The Bahamas, while reducing the incidences of child abuse within the country.
"We must all remain vigilant in care and protection of our children," Mrs. Griffin said. "The numbers of reported cases of child abuse and neglect involving physical, sexual and emotional maltreatment are unacceptably high."
Mrs. Griffin said the Government is "adamant" in its focus on, and commitment to, the protection of children's rights and the eradication of child abuse in the nation.
The re-establishment of the Domestic Violence Unit in the Family Services Division of the Department of Social Services is another key component of the Government's thrust towards the eradication of child abuse within the nation.
"This Unit seeks to provide early intervention for families and children faced with violence. One of the major responsibilities of the Unit (as mandated by legislation) will be to encourage programmes and services for boys and girls who come from homes where there is abuse and violence," Mrs. Griffin added.
Addressing the Opening Session of the Caribbean Regional Conference hosted by the Bahamas Bar Association Thursday, Mrs. Griffin said the Christie Administration recognizes the need to bring equity to all aspects of Bahamian law, particularly where the law affects children and the family structure.
"We are also aware that it is extremely important that the judicial system is sensitive to, and knowledgeable about, the Conventions and Human Rights issues so as to reflect these in their deliberations and judgments wherever possible."
The Conference was attended by legal professionals and Justices from throughout the region and was held under the theme: "Our Children, An Endangered Species."
Mrs. Griffin said the Child Protection Act, 2007, is another key component of the thrust. The legislation provides for a Statutory Board -- the National Committee for Families and Children – NCFC -- that was appointed in 2013 and comprises persons representing governmental and non-governmental organizations concerned with the welfare of families and children.
The committee is responsible for promoting, monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and ensuring that the Government meets its national and international obligations as party to the Convention which the Bahamas signed onto on October 30, 1990.
Among the children's rights included in the Convention are the right to survival; the right to develop to their fullest potential; the right to fully participate in family, cultural and social life and the right of protection from harmful influences, abuse and exploitation.
The NCFC is also responsible for ensuring that the various institutions, communities and homes in The Bahamas understand and apply the standards of protection and care of children set out in the Act, and for recommending and advocating to, and at different levels and institutions, policies for the care, protection and maintenance of families and children in The Bahamas, among other matters.
"This body, while new, has the potential to ensure that our children will not become an endangered species," Mrs. Griffin said.
The Government, through the Ministry, will also establish an Office of Minor's Advocate that has the responsibility for the protection of the legal rights of children in any judicial process.
"Consequently, whenever a child is brought before the courts, the court - with parent's consent - can request the assistance of the Minor's Advocate," Minister Griffin said.
Provisions are already in place for the facilitation of this service.
Mrs. Griffin said the aforementioned initiatives, in conjunction with a number of activities to raise public awareness to "the ugly scourge of child abuse in our country" are expected to pay great dividends in the war against child abuse.
"This year marks the twenty-fifth anniversary on the Convention on the Rights of the Child and is indeed a convenient time for mature reflection on how well we are meeting the rights of children as outlined in that document," Mrs. Griffin added.
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