THERE is an alarming issue centred on the prevalence of child abuse in the homes of residents of Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, and we the youths of this community are very much concerned and would no longer condone this unscrupulous misdemeanour. This epidemic of child abuse must stop.

Assaulting children or putting them in pain doesn’t solve any problem. Upon reflecting on the proverb: “Children are what you make them”, then how does beating make them grown professionals with exemplary personalities, especially when parents or siblings are inculcating in these children, through violent behaviour or any other form of abuse, that it’s the only way to correct their misbehaviour. Physical abuse is the most imposed.

Children’s protection is everyone’s business. Regardless of a child’s ability or inability to cope with abuse of any form, NO child should experience violence. To family members, community residents,it could have been your own children,or it could have been you; so let us join hands in ending this exploitation.It takes more than one to raise a child – let us encamp around our children who are the future.

More children are becoming vulnerable as a result of poverty, crime, corruption and they are exposed to abusive situations. Children have little or no power to protect or provide for themselves and little influence on their well- being. Children need their parents,their extended families,their neighbours, their teachers, their friends and peers to respond when they cry out for help. Their cries should impel us to help and create positive changes for their time in need.

Mr. Editor, we are soliciting community members, and not only families to take a moment to
connect with any child they think may need their help and report any sign or symptoms of abuse they may suspect to the nearest police station, since it is our responsibility to protect and act for the well-being of the children in our society.