Delay in court cases ‘unfair to child abuse victims’

Government and child protection officials have expressed concern over the length of time it takes for the courts to deal with child abuse cases, as the nation observes Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month.

Such delays are undermining efforts to deliver justice to victims of child abuse, said officials who participated in a national Walk Against Abuse in Speightstown, St Peter, on Friday morning.

Director of the Child Care Board, Roseann Richards,  said the protracted court processes exact an emotional toll on young victims. 

“I wish that cases with children could have been expedited through the system so that a child doesn’t get abused at six and then 17 or 18 years later . . . they didn’t have to relive the experience so that they can get justice,” she said.

Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs, Kirk Humphrey, who took part in the walk, expressed similar sentiments. 

“It’s one thing to have these things in the legislation, but if the structures do not support it, then it’s going to be difficult,” he said. “I think the time has come for us to have a family court . . . to deal with these matters pertaining to children in an expedited way.”

He shared a troubling experience from his time as a former manager of the Child Care Board.

“I remember a case of a young girl who was abused at ten. Her case was called when she was a grown woman with children, and what they see as an adult is completely different from the child that is abused,” he recalled.

However, the government is moving to strengthen its institutional response, Humphrey said, as Cabinet has approved the acquisition of a property to serve as a dedicated, secure treatment facility for vulnerable children—a first for Barbados.

“There is a space between what the Child Care Board offers as a home and the facility at Dodds [Industrial School], which is punitive,” he explained. “There are some children who are in between and need special attention, and we’ve just acquired a property… that would allow us to treat to that.”

Director of the Child Care Board Roseann Richards. (SZB)

The “Walk Against Abuse”, now in its fourth year, was hosted in the north of the island for the first time, attracting school children, early childhood centres and community members from St James, St Peter and surrounding areas.

“Our records show that we get the most reported cases from St Michael and Christ Church, but St James also ranks high. That’s why we brought the walk to the north this year — to sensitise all of Barbados,” said Richards.

The walk began at the Mahaica Playing Field in Speightstown, St Peter. Participants moved along the Highway 1 route (also known as the Speightstown Bypass Road), turned by the roundabout, continued through Queen Street, and returned to the starting point.

Richards said it was deliberately held on a Friday to encourage school participation, although ongoing disruptions in the education system could affect turnout. 

She urged members of the public to report suspected abuse without hesitation.

“Our statistics are showing over 600 reported cases for the last two to three years. But we know that where there’s one report, there are many other unreported cases…. Our intention is to make people aware of why it is necessary not to underreport but to report.”

Humphrey reiterated that a single case is one too many. “Every year I report on the cases of child abuse to Barbados, and every single case bothers me.” He called on the nation to recognise the urgency of protecting its children—not just in words, but through action. 

(SZB)