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News : Bahamas Information Services Updates Last Updated: Feb 13, 2017 - 1:45:37 AM


Bahamian Students March Against Child Abuse
By Matt Maura, BIS
Apr 27, 2016 - 5:25:14 PM

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Jonoah Saunders (second left), a student at the Centre for the Deaf, was one of twenty students recognized as Peace Ambassadors, 2016, at the recent Anti-Child Abuse March and Rally. Also pictured (from left) are: the Hon. Melanie Griffin, Minister of Social Services and Community Development; Mr. Saunders, Lillian Quant-Forbes, Senior Deputy Director, Department of Social Services, Ministry of Social Services and Community Development; and Michaela Smith, teacher, Centre for the Deaf. (BIS Photo/Matt Maura)

NASSAU, The Bahamas – An estimated 1,500 students from public and private schools assembled on the historic Windsor Park for the recent annual Child Abuse Prevention/Child Protection Youth March and Rally.

Students also paid tribute to children whose lives were “tragically cut short as a result of child abuse” in The Bahamas by releasing balloons into the air following a moment of silence.

Participating schools included Early Childhood Development Centres, Primary Schools and some Secondary Schools.

Organizers say the 2016 edition was the largest to be held in the four years: the rally has been hosted by officials of the Child Protection Committee, Department of Social Services, Urban Renewal, the Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect (SCAN) Unit of the Department of Public Health, Ministry of Health and the National Child Protection Council (NCPC), in an attempt to bring attention to the ravages of child abuse.

Minister of Social Services and Community Development, the Hon. Melanie Sharon Griffin, said: “It is critical that we continue and heighten our efforts to eliminate all forms of abuse against our children. This can only happen when the public (including children) is able to identify the signs and effects of abuse and report it to the proper authorities. Evil thrives when good men (and women) do nothing. It is therefore imperative that we all demonstrate Zero Tolerance in our country for any form of abuse of the most vulnerable amongst us, especially our children. As we look to our future, we must all ensure that we do our part.

“Therefore we are calling on the citizens of this country to step up and participate in not only the protection of our children, but also in letting the global community know that the abuse, neglect and abandonment of our children is unacceptable,” Mrs. Griffin added.

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Students of the Sybil Strachan Primary School (formerly Carmichael Primary School) display the winning entry from the banner competition at the 2016 Anti-Child Abuse March and Rally held at Windsor Park. (BIS Photo/Matt Maura)


Minister Griffin told the students that children have the right to expect to be loved; to be treated with respect and dignity; to be taught moral values; to be taught boundaries and self-discipline and self-respect; to be treated fairly; to be properly supervised and to not be physically, verbally, mentally or sexually abused or treated in an inhumane or cruel manner.

Additionally, Mrs. Griffin said, children further have the right to not be touched inappropriately; they have a right to be raised in an environment free from all forms of abuse; to receive a good education and to be allowed to reach their fullest potential while also expecting the right to have their physical needs such as food, clothing, shelter and medical care, met.

“Some parents and adults do not always treat children as they deserve. If they did, the number of reported cases of child abuse would not be over 600 for the past several years,” Mrs. Griffin said.

“I want you to know that you are treasured, valued and loved. When I look at the short window of opportunity that parents, guardians and stakeholders have to mold, shape and guide you into what you will become, I am even more committed to ensuring that happens.

“I give you my pledge to continue to do my part to protect and keep you safe for in doing so I am protecting your future – one that should be bright and beneficial to us all,” Mrs. Griffin said.

Research shows that the negative effects of child abuse can be long-term, destructive and far-reaching and that without proper intervention, the fall-out will definitely spill over into society and manifest itself in various forms including repeated cycles of abuse or “people hurting other people” and violence.

As a matter of fact, a report published by the Adults Surviving Child Abuse (ASCA) organization suggests that severe and repeated trauma during adolescence, can lead to “increased risks of mood, anxiety and personality disorders throughout adult life” which can all have negative impacts on society at-large.

“Children are vulnerable and need the care and protection of their parents and other adults such as teachers and caregivers,” Mrs. Griffin said. “As time passes, each generation depends upon the one after it to successfully take its place. You are that generation; you are the hope for the future. It is our responsibility to ensure bright futures for all of you.”



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