THE Ministry of Labour, Human Services & Social Security will be observing Child Protection Week from September 23 to 29.

The theme is ‘Adults, Take Action Against Child Abuse: The Time is now’, a press release said.
The release said, in light of this observance, the Child Protection Agency (CPA) has planned a number of activities for the period and is encouraging everyone to act now in an effort to stop child abuse and protect children.
“The CPA is working assiduously to provide responses for children in need of protection throughout Guyana. We cannot do it alone. The community, civil and corporate society and all Guyanese must join forces with the Child Care & Protection Agency and the Probation and Social Services Department of the Ministry of Labour, Human Services & Social Security to combat child abuse and provide a safe environment for our children, so that they can develop to their highest potential ,” the release stated.
Aimed at increasing awareness, as it relates to the issues of child abuse, Child Protection Week is observed annually in some 120 countries worldwide. The first such occasion in Guyana was in 2004, to propel local groups and individuals into action to ensure that children are kept safe, the release explained.
It said the CPA is demanding that adults take action now to stop abuse, as children, by their nature, are vulnerable and dependent upon adults for their survival.
“Much work is being done to ensure that children are made aware of their rights, responsibilities and the actions they should take, in the face of abuse.
“In order to stop child abuse, each and every member of society must take action and, if something does not look right with a child, it is probably not right. Early identification and reporting are interventions deemed vital in the prevention of child abuse.
“Call the CPA hotline, 227-0979 and report your suspicion. The CPA will investigate every report made of abuse, so as to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice,” the statement urged.