MINISTER of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony, yesterday maintained that “nothing is happening at the New Opportunity Corps,” despite claims of sexual molestation by parents and female children at the institution.

Dr. Anthony said that a lot of the perceptions circulating about the NOC are nothing but mere perceptions, which would dissipate if parents were to visit and make themselves aware of what is happening at the NOC.

The Minister described the allegations surfacing in the media as sensational press, and noted that those allegations made were not taken to the bodies which could deal with them in a systematic way, but to A Partnership for National Unity (APNU), and APNU failed to refer the complainants to the police, Child Protection Agency, or even his Ministry, resorting instead to national television and national media. However, Dr. Anthony assured that the matter is currently being investigated.

He divulged that the first set of allegations made against the NOC staff members was that they were somehow involved sexually with four girls at the institution.

“I said repeatedly that we at the Ministry have nothing to hide and (that) if there is anybody who has broken any law, we don’t condone rape or any sexual misconduct at NOC or anywhere in the ministry,” Dr. Anthony warned.

“A subsequent complaint was then made to the Child Care and Protection Agency; and when that complaint was made, the Child Care and Protection Agency immediately took steps and is currently investigating the matter,” he said.

He assured that if there is anyone who can validate and substantiate the claims made in a manner that would find a person or persons culpable, the law of the country would deal with the culpable.

The Minister stressed that the four girls who were alleged victims of rape have been removed from the facility and are currently with the Ministry of Human Services while investigations are in progress.

“We will await the results that will emerge from that (investigation),” Dr. Anthony said. “So I don’t know what this hype is about!”

Regular parental visits
Minister Anthony insisted that parents of children stationed at NOC should visit more regularly so as to engage, encourage, and talk to their children in an effort to forge better relationships with them.

“If they can come once a week, we will be very happy. Before a child is sent to NOC, (that child has) to pass through the court. So when a child is sent to NOC, we would like the parents to come regularly to visit (the child),” he assured.

The Minister deemed sad the situation of parents leaving their children at the NOC for three years without visiting or enquiring about them. He said the Ministry has worked with organizations such as UNICEF to pay the travel allowances for parents to visit at the NOC, but despite these provisions, parents refuse to visit their children.

“If people really want to work in the interest of the young people that are at NOC, they should be able to come and volunteer to be mentors for those young people. But it is perhaps convenient that they only make all these noises conveniently.

“So, we have nothing to hide, and I have repeatedly said that. We really want parents to be involved with their children. We need more parental visits,” he urged.

The institution also facilitates the provision of religious and academic leaders who are tasked with interacting with the children in the hope of generating change in their behaviours.

International organisations’ volunteers also visit the institution on a regular basis to provide counselling for the children.

The Ministry is currently mulling separating the girls from the boys in the co-ed facility. The idea, which surfaced out of the current issue at the NOC, is described as a medium-term plan which should take the Ministry a few years to implement but would see complete separation of boys and girls.
Written By Ravin Singh