Minister Humphrey urges support for revised Child Protection Bill

Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Kirk Humphrey is emphasising the critical need for action on the Child Protection Bill.

With the bill returned from a joint select committee of Parliament and poised for debate, he passionately advocated for its passage, highlighting its pivotal role in safeguarding children.

He was speaking on Tuesday at a press briefing to launch Child Abuse Awareness and Protection Month, marking the country’s third year of commemorating the international observance. 

Addressing the pressing issue of child abuse in the country, Humphrey revealed statistics which indicated a consistent number of reported cases over recent years.

He shared that during the period April 2021 to March 2022, 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.

“So what that tells us is that the numbers have basically been fairly consistent in terms of the reported cases of abuse. We would have seen a spike temporarily after we came out of COVID, but that was to be expected. I believe the Child Care Board continues to do a very good job, and we look forward to being able to reduce the actual cases, even if we increase the reported cases, because I think it is a good and brave thing when a person comes forward and reports abuse,” he said.

Stressing the importance of encouraging reporting, balanced with measures to deter false claims, Humphrey added, “We should also caution that a new child protection legislation puts in place certain penalties if persons report these things falsely in an effort to try to bring down somebody else.”

While highlighting the crucial role of social media in tackling child abuse, he cautioned against the dangers of its potential misuse, particularly in the dissemination of inappropriate content involving minors. With a fervent call to action, the minister underscored the need for responsible online behaviour to protect vulnerable children.

According to Humphrey, “While the Internet is extremely useful in allowing us to educate our children, even to fight child abuse if done right, it could also be a problem if not done correctly. If a person is hurting because they suspect that some incident has occurred that has damaged their child and would want to use social media as a tool to express their frustration, they also have to remember that in the new legislation, the Cybercrime Bill, it is an offence to be posting pictures of children, especially if naked.”

Humphrey’s address also shed light on the proposed secure treatment facility outlined in the Child Protection Bill, signalling a proactive approach to address behavioural challenges among children in care. With allocated funds and plans underway for renovation of one of two identified buildings for the facility, he expressed optimism about providing additional support and resources for those in need.

“We’ve been given $3 million in this year’s Estimates to be able to renovate either of those buildings and to be able to have, hopefully by the end of the financial year, a facility to be able to address the children in care who may need extra attention,”  Humphrey shared, adding that personnel such as psychologists and behavioural specialists will also be involved in the process.

Reiterating the government’s dedication to prioritising child protection initiatives, he underscored that the safety and well-being of Barbados’ children is a collective responsibility. (SM)