If there is one feature about Minister of People Empowerment Mr. Kirk Humphrey that endears him to the general public regardless of their political persuasion, is his passion for the current portfolio which he holds.
Members of the Cabinet are creatures of the Prime Minister of this country and their job assignments begin and end with her favour or disapproval.
Even though we believe the electorate should be taken into the leader’s confidence and given some insight into how the political and administrative boss makes her decisions on who should lead the Ministries created, we have not received that level of access.
In our closely knit societies, where information is often leaked, there has been no adverse commentary that Mr. Humphrey is anything other than a competent leader in the ministry who enjoys a good working relationship with his subordinates in his former ministerial assignment, as well as in his current role.
Having come from a background in social work, it appears to us the Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs has taken well to his latest assignment and goes about his duties with great enthusiasm.
This is being demonstrated in his considerable knowledge of the areas of his ministry and the manner in which he has responded to the challenges and controversies that have surfaced during his tenure.
Among the firestorms which Mr. Humphrey has been forced to address related to the treatment of wards of the Government Industrial Schools, a matter that led to a major legal challenge by child rights advocates.
Though the controversy also straddled the Ministry of Home Affairs, it was Mr. Humprey’s ministry that is required to undertake many of the preventative actions that are required to positively impact on the protection of our young citizens.
This week, the current administration took the important step of introducing a new Child Protection Authority with the piloting of the Child Protection Bill, 2023, in the House of Assembly.
In his address in the Lower House, Mr. Humphrey made it clear that the new Secure Treatment Facility where children are expected to be “rehabilitated” for a maximum of three years, will replace the controversial Government Industrial Schools.
We know that the state has a history of making lofty plans that often become victims of state bureaucracy. Such grand proposals for this facility will require resources and personnel who have similar passion and commitment to the welfare of children, as the Minister himself has articulated.
On the vexing matter of child abuse, the Minister laid bare what we have long suspected. There is an underbelly of sexual and physical abuse, abandonment and psychological abuse of our young people that needs to be tackled head-on.
Between 2020 and 2021 some 544 cases of abuse were reported, 667 reports were made between 2021 and 2022, and up to January this year, a further 556 reported cases.
We laud the ongoing efforts to modernise the legal and administrative framework that serve to protect the rights of children.
Barbados, like most countries around the world, has a problem with abuse and exploitation of children. Children are defenceless and look to adults to protect them and not take advantage of their innocence.
The most disturbing aspect of child abuse and exploitation is that the evidence points directly to those who operate in capacities of trust, who exploit their access to children.
These acts have been known to be committed by both men and women, family members, friends and associates of families, as well as people we trust including educators, sports coaches, medical professionals, clergy, and the list goes on.
Let us not put our heads in the sand. There are many dirty little secrets in households and institutions across the island, as family members incredulously circle the wagon to protect the culprits who may be breadwinners.
Often, protecting the perpetrator who could be a relative or close family friend proves to be critical to protecting the families’ image and standing in their communities, and less to do with protecting the children who are victimised.
We are hopeful that the initiatives outlined by Minister Humphrey, a former senior employee at the Child Care Board, will provide greater protection for the most vulnerable and innocent members of our society.
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