CHILD neglect is not as easy to pin down, as one would like to think, linked as it often is with other forms of child abuse.
That’s the word from an expert on the subject, Ms Paulette Henry, who went on to say that as a matter of fact, it is not really clear whether child neglect is accounted for in other forms of abuse.

Speaking at an event at Moray House on Friday, Henry said that based on data compiled by the Child Protection Agency between 2012 and 2016, child neglect was the most prevalent reported form of child abuse in Guyana, accounting for as much as half of the total number of reported cases of child abuse during the period.
And, based on the findings of the said research, there’s been a steady increase over the years in the number of child neglect cases, with an overall growth of eight per cent over the five-year period.

Noting that there were also variations in the number of cases reported annually, Henry told her avid audience:
“It is unclear whether the observed annual variations are independent of other factors, such as public awareness, advocacy, management and staffing of the Child Protection Agency.”

She said that for 2016 alone, the highest number of reported child neglect cases came from Region Four (Demerara-Mahaica), followed by Regions Three (Essequibo Islands-West Demerara), Six (East Berbice-Corentyne), Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni), Five (Mahaica-Berbice), and Ten (Upper Demerara-Berbice) respectively.

She believes that the number of reported cases at the regional level may be influenced by a number of factors, such as child demographic data, the availability of CPA officers, and accessibility to efficient means of communication within the regions.
Director of Children’s Services in the Ministry of Social Protection, Ms Ann Green, said child neglect is detrimental to the development of children, and as such the increase in reported cases would no doubt be cause for concern.
She reported that a cursory examination of the 2016 data from the Childcare & Protection Agency shows a total of 3842 reported cases of abuse, of which 2038 were cases of child neglect.

However, in 2015, the number of reported child abuse cases was 2,815, of which 1,335 cases were neglect of children, hence 2015 figures compared with 2016 figures shows a significant increase in the reported cases of child neglect.
She was quick to warn, however, “These figures are not the true picture of the situation of child abuse and neglect in Guyana, since a number of cases go unreported.”
She noted that a research of this nature to understand the phenomenon of child neglect in Guyana should result in comprehensive approaches that address risk factors, and have the support of the Childcare & Protection Agency (CPA).
Green said child neglect is a serious form of abuse that results from the failures of parents, guardians and the wider society to provide basic necessities for the survival, protection and developmental needs of children.

She stated that the prevention of child abuse and neglect calls for a change of behaviour and attitudes of all since this is a task for everyone in society.
“There must be more caring and child-friendly communities, increased collaboration of service providers, which must include the family as there cannot be any true collaboration without the involvement and support to the families,” Green said.
She pointed out that it is expected that this research will form the basis and guideline to improve strategies that reduce the risk factors for child abuse, more particularly child neglect.
Green added that it is hoped that the findings will be used in advocating and lobbying with all stakeholders, particularly at the community, family and services levels inclusive of health, education, and security to strengthen the protection of children.