HUNDREDS of students attending both primary and secondary schools in Linden last Friday braved the scorching sun as they marched against child abuse, in an effort to bring awareness to this unfortunate phenomenon plaguing the mining town. The march was held under the theme “Breaking the Silence.” The procession started from the Bayroc Ground on the Wismar shore and concluded at the Mackenzie Sports Club Ground, where a rally was held.
Students from Regma Primary, Amelia’s Ward Primary, St Aidens Primary, Christianburg Wismar Secondary and Wisburg Secondary were smartly dressed in their school uniforms holding placards and banners with slogans “bashing” child abusers and saying no to any involvement in the various types of child abuse.
The students were joined by regional officials and members of other non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
The march was organised by radio personality Lester Glen and friends in collaboration with Youths for Change. At the MSC ground, the students were furnished with information from Child Link representatives who journeyed all the way from Georgetown. There were also presentations from Deputy Regional Executive Officer Maylene Stephens, representatives from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Public Health.
According to organiser Lester Glen, he was motivated to hold the march which was a follow-up from last year’s Suicide Awareness Walk after being cognisant of the many child abuse cases, the latest reported case being that of an eight-year-old girl being raped by her father.
“Through careful consideration, deliberation and research, it has been proven that an above normal rate of children are abused in various forms; however, it is our hope that through awareness and education, victims and communities will feel a sense of support in breaking the silence; instances which encourage interventions by the law and further physiological through social protection policies,” Lester told the Guyana Chronicle.
Glen expressed satisfaction over the turnout, which saw in attendance scores of teachers, parents and ordinary residents.
At a child abuse awareness rally held in Linden by the Ministry of Social Protection last year, Director of Child Services, Ann Greene, reported that some 267 cases of child abuse were recorded in Linden for the first seven months of 2016.
Former Minister of Social Protection, Volda Lawrence, urged Lindeners to “stamp it out” from their town by speaking up against child abuse.