Justice delayed

By Shanna Moore

Amid concerns over delays in the court system, advocates for child welfare in Barbados are urging swift action to ensure timely justice for victims of juvenile abuse. 

While expressing some level of satisfaction with the number of individuals being charged in these incidents, Director of the Child Care Board Roseanne Richards voiced frustration over the protracted timelines in resolving such cases.

“I’m satisfied with the number of people that are being charged, but I’m not satisfied with the length of time it takes for a matter of this nature to get through the court system,” she stated, highlighting the potential emotional toll on victims who often have to wait years for justice. 

Richards further expressed hope that the establishment of a new family court could expedite proceedings, preventing victims from having to relive traumatic experiences years later.

She was speaking during the launch of Child Abuse Awareness and Protection Month on Tuesday where statistics were shared, proving a consistency in reported cases of child abuse in recent years.

During the April 2021 to March 2022 period, there were 538 reported cases affecting 667 children; for the period ending March 2023, there were 560 reported cases affecting 672 children; and during April 2023 to February 2024, there were 492 reported cases affecting 588 children.

Also echoing concerns of the detrimental impact of delayed justice on victims was Faith Marshall-Harris, a prominent children’s right advocate. 

According to her, “The delay in those juvenile cases results in justice being denied. An important thing to point out about the delaying of juvenile cases is that justice is actually denied in terms of the appearance of that child on the witness stand is no longer that of a child. Therefore a jury, being only human, will assess the situation based on what they see before them so very often [children] do not get the justice they deserve.”

The advocates stressed the need for urgent reforms to prioritise and expedite juvenile abuse cases, ensuring that victims receive the justice and closure they deserve without much delay. 

shannamoore@barbadostoday.bb