–to treating with the matter

THE European Union [EU] has provided financial assistance, under the Empowering Children in Difficult Circumstances Initiative managed by ChildLink, to train more than 45 members of the Multi-Disciplinary Teams to efficiently treat with Child Sexual Abuse cases at the Child Advocacy Centres.The just-concluded two-day workshop, which opened May 30, at the Police Training Centre, focused heavily on the importance of Forensic Interviewing, according to a release from the EU.

According to the release, Odran Hayes, Programme Manager at the EU delegation in Guyana, told the team of the EU’s concern about the number of cases taken to the Courts.

Said he, “While the Child Advocacy Centres treat victims, we must, in parallel, work on stronger policing systems through which perpetrators are made to face the full force of the law, sending an unequivocal and resounding message that we are indeed serious about fighting child sexual abuse.”

Under the Programme, the three Child Advocacy Centres (CACs) developed and operated by ChildLink have treated with 169 sexually abused children.

“These numbers in no way reflect the number of cases taken to the Courts,” the release noted.

The sessions were facilitated by Dr. Lisa Fontes of the University of Massachusetts, who has been working with Childlink on this initiative for more than a year now.

Dr. Fontes lauded the initiative, and thanked the EU for its support. She urged that the Government of Guyana continue to ensure the longevity and sustainability of the Child Advocacy Centres.

According to the release, she explained that since the last workshop in February 2015 she has seen tremendous growth in the counsellors.

“They are committed and do so much with so little, they carry the pain of the children and their families.” Following the two day Workshop Dr. Fontes is expected to visit the three CACs in Regions 3, 4 and 5.

Present at the training were representatives from the Guyana Police Force, the Child Care and Protection Agency, Ministry of Public Health, the office of the Director Public Prosecutions and Non-Governmental Organisations.

The Empowering Children in Difficult Circumstances initiative is a two-year programme managed by Childink and funded by the European Union. The Overall objective is to strengthen policies, practices and approaches to ensure social welfare services.