Child abuse cases taking too long in the courts

By Anesta Henry

Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Kirk Humphrey is concerned about the increase in cases of child abuse and the time it’s taking to deal with these matters through the law courts.

He said there were 667 children abused last year.

“Every child matters, so that is 667 problems for all of us,” he told a media briefing on Monday.

“In 2019-2020 there were 495 cases of abuse reported in total. In 2020-2021 there were 437 cases; in 2021-2022, there were 538 cases reported in the financial year April to March. From April to January so far there were 462 cases reported,” the minister said.

Humphrey shared the statistics at the briefing to launch Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month 2023, in the HIV/AIDS Conference Room at the ministry’s Warrens Office Complex. 

He added: “It appears to me that last year’s [month of activities] intervention allowed the public to feel the need to report more cases of abuse and I hope that this year because of this intervention we will get more [reported] cases of child abuse.” 

Stressing that a nationwide collaborative between state agencies and the public is needed for child abuse cases to be brought before the court, Humphrey said that these matters sit in the system for too long.

“We have to take these cases to court to be able to win them and that requires a whole-of-nation approach. It requires individuals when you know that it is happening to report it. When I was an officer of the Child Care Board it had always concerned me that an incident could occur when a child is pretty much a baby and not be tried until the person is fairly grown. 

“And then what people see when the person comes to court is a child maybe 13 years old, or in some cases maybe 17-18 years old who manifests the reality of a child who was abused. 

“I remember one person told me in a casual conversation, look at how she looks; tattoos, earrings and piercings. You didn’t see the child that was abused at eight years old.

“By the time we process a lot of these cases, what people see and what people judge is the result of how the child became as a result of the abuse. The time that it takes for us to be able to carry these cases is way too long,” he said.

Minister Humphrey said the amalgamation of the social care agencies, in addition to the Child Protection Legislation which should be debated soon in the House of Assembly, are part of Government’s response to tackling child abuse.

Humphrey explained that the Child Protection Legislation in particular is significant to deal with the specific issue of persons who witness and report child abuse, withdrawing their statements and refusing to testify in court.

“We know what happens. In certain families, there are cases where the power structure within the household and the reliance sometimes on finances, influences the behaviour of the person within the household as well. So that is why I think the new Child Protection legislation in relation to mandatory reporting is important. 

“If you are in a position where you are either in the household, or if you are a person who comes into contact with that information in your course of business, then you are now obligated by law to report that abuse, and that would make a significant difference. It is unfortunate that we always have to return to law to do things that people should do in the course of business, but that is the way that it is,” he said.

Humphrey also insisted that workers at state-owned agencies must be sensitive about the way they interact with members of the public who have reported cases of child abuse. At times, he said, institutions act with an arrogance that is not beneficial to the process.

During the launch, Deputy Chairman of the Child Care Board (CCB) Dr Carol Jacobs said the board is hoping that in the near future there is a facility separate and apart from children’s homes to house those whose behaviours cannot be reasonably managed at existing childcare facilities.

Noting that children who have been suspended from school need to be closely supervised by a parent or responsible adult, Dr Jacobs said young children should never be supervised by minors even if it is for a short period.

“A 12 or 13-year-old child can neither safely or reasonably be left alone,” she added.

Dr Jacobs recognised the importance of the board’s close working partnership with the Barbados Police Service as well as the valuable support of UNICEF,” Dr Jacobs said.

Meanwhile, Minister Humphrey gave the assurance that efforts were ongoing to source a facility to accommodate children who do not meet the criteria to be sent to the Government Industrial School (GIS) but whose circumstances may be too “tough” for children homes.

A workshop to sensitise members of the media regarding  reporting on child abuse cases will be the highlight of the month of activities.

On April 29 the CCB will be leading a walk in The City to sensitize the public about child abuse.

anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb