WIA sets deadline for Home Affairs Minister

Minister of Home Affairs Wilfred Abrahams has been given seven days to report on the findings of the departmental inquiries into the operations of the Government Industrial Schools (GIS) at Barrows, St Lucy and Dodds, St Philip.

The deadline of July 7 2022 is being given by the Women In Action Network (WIA), which has also warned that if the minister does not respond to the request, the network would be forced to ask him to answer to specific allegations placed on record by former wards and staff.

WIA’s spokesperson, Tempu Nefertari, said during a press conference at the Praise Academy Headquarters, Collymore Rock, St Micha on Thursday, that the report addresses the alleged systemic abuse of previous and present wards of the institution.

She warned Minister Abrahams not to bring back any report that does not substantially address the physical and sexual abuse allegations made by the girls involved, nor a report that does not speak to the involvement of GIS staff.

“If you do, you will force us to ask direct questions about acts allegedly committed by hard-back men and women who were supposed to be protecting our children. We are pleased with your statement that the report will be coming soon. You have the opportunity to make any revisions to ensure that it covers the critical areas mentioned. I hope we want the same things for our children,” she said.

On April 30, Minister Abrahams, in response to females absconding from the Barrows facility, announced that over a six-week period, present and former wards and staff of the school, would have the opportunity to lay complaints and concerns with the institution.

He said the inquiry, chaired by the retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, Oral Williams, should be completed by June 15, addressing matters of policies, practices, curriculum, extracurricular activities and mentorship at the institutions.

“With the horrifying accounts that we have on record, we can’t even think about curriculum and mentorship before we look at psychological support, medical treatments, and continuous therapy, before we look at silencing the nightmares of these girls and women,” Nefertari said.

The WIA group, comprising close to half dozen non-governmental organisations and women of all walks of life from Barbados and the diaspora, is focused on helping girls at the state-run institution. Several of them are said to have unresolved issues in relation to treatment at the institution.

Nefertari also questioned whether the proposed needs assessment at the GIS was conducted, as was promised last year.

“One year later, with no reports, no protocols or assessments brought to the public knowledge since last year, the minister has promised one more report,” she said.

The WIA spokeswoman also asked for promised legislation to protect the rights of children to be introduced.

She called on the Ministry of Education to stop the practice of corporal punishment in schools. Barbados TODAY’s efforts to reach Minister Abrahams for comment were unsuccessful.

anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb