Protecting our children should not be a cause for division

arbados is an idyllic paradise for the hundreds of thousands of people who visit our shores each year. However, as picturesque as these fields and hills are, there is an underbelly of this society from which we cannot hide.

On Wednesday, May 15, we celebrated and joined hands with the rest of the world to celebrate International Day of the Family.

For too many young boys and girls in our society, the home, which should provide them with safety and comfort, is actually a place of torment and horror due to instances of various forms of abuse.

These situations have been empirically linked to cases of youngsters running away from home or preferring the streets. Unfortunately, on the streets without protection and proper guidance, these children often face equally exploitative situations.

Underaged teenagers, both boys and girls, are being lured into unwanted and illegal sexual encounters with mature adults who use their guile and worldly experience to prey on innocent and vulnerable youngsters who find it difficult to discern when they are entering dangerous situations.

In the House of Assembly, Members of Parliament debated a resolution on a Report of the Joint Select Committee (Standing) on Social Sector and the Environment on the Child Protection Bill, 2023.

The Bill was sent to a joint select committee following pushback from some groups and organisations who suggested that it was diminishing the power of parents and placing too much power in the hands of the State.

While there was reason for some anxiety of some parents that the State was somehow bending to the desires of some international organisations, the fact remains that there are too many vulnerable children exposed to all kinds of harm from adults. People who should be caring for the welfare of these youngsters can sometimes be the ones posing the greatest danger.

In such cases, someone has to step in and fill the breach on behalf of children who are being exploited.

As Minister of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector Colin Jordan pointed out in his contribution to the debate, the State had a moral responsibility to step in and protect such children.

“This piece of legislation is far from trying to take up people’s children, change their gender or the sex of people’s children . . . . The legislation that is appended to this report contains nothing in it that could be considered a slippery slope,” the minister told Parliament.

A valid case for doing more to protect the children of this country from exploitation was outlined by Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Kirk Humphrey.

During his presentation in the House, the Minister revealed that almost 100 children were now in the care of the Child Care Board, having been removed from dangerous situations at their homes.

“The Child Care Board has always had the authority to remove children who were at risk. When children in Barbados are removed, they are treated well.

“We have about 93 children and they are being taken care of. I know all is not perfect, but I want to commend the aunties and officials who take care of these children,” were the comments of Mr Humphrey.

While we expect there will be the usual cut and thrust of politics, there are some things on which there can be little divide and key among those is the matter of care and protection of this country’s children.

As Mr Humphrey explained: “Some things you just have to let go. We must be able to adapt – and not a radical, foreign-imposed adaptation. We are teaching parents you don’t have to beat your child. Some things, like that type of punishment, we have to give up. We are urging our parents to show children a little mercy and use the tools available to you.”