IF you spot anything suspicious concerning a child, don’t just ignore it. It is your civil duty to report your suspicions to the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA). If you care about children and want to give them a chance to grow up healthy and reach their fullest potential, you would do what you can to protect them. Even if it means calling the CPA anonymously, and giving information about a family member or a good friend.
When you call the CPA hotline to report child abuse or your suspicions, your call is held in the strictest confidence; you don’t have to give your name. A CPA officer will take the details and a report will be logged into the system for investigation.
This system is in place because there needs to be an establishment that advocates for children and enforces children’s rights. Children are solely reliant on the adults in their lives to guide and protect them, to nurture, encourage and love them and, even during trying times, safeguarding our children must still be a number one priority.
The current pandemic means that desperate parents will have next to no income, as their work may be on lockdown. However, parents and adults please do not become complacent where children are concerned. Though you may struggle to make ends meet on a daily basis, keep a look out for children. Remember that the majority of child sexual abuse cases occur in the home and usually involves someone the child knows.
Let us not be frivolous with our children’s lives and sense of well-being during this time of crisis. Nor should we overlook areas or concerns which would have raised alarm bells before this present state of affairs. If you have to go out to find work, make arrangements for childcare that brings you peace of mind. Make sure you can reach your children whenever you need to and continue to check on them during the day.
Think of ways to ensure they are safe like teaching them a ‘safety word’ to alert you during a phone call if they are feeling unsafe or something is wrong. Child sex offenders are in our midst, and once they have offended they are likely to do so again. Child sexual abuse is a patterned predatory behaviour. Safeguard your children, do not take anything for granted. Talk to them, ask them questions, let them tell you about their day without interruption.
Only parents with no immediate income, due to the lockdown, will know the stress and anxiety they endure at this present time; and to cope with their frustration they might lash out and say cruel things to their children. Words said in a passion cannot be unsaid. They can negatively affect a child’s personality and development. Try to exercise a level of tolerance towards your children, without abusing them.
Children need to know facts appropriate to their age and understanding. This calls for parents to find a healthy balance when dealing with the present crisis; maintaining livelihood and managing the welfare of their children.
It is good to build resilience in children at times like these. Opening their eyes to facts and probabilities so they can think about their place in their family unit, their communities, in society and the wider world. Adults can teach children how to survive against all odds and how to adapt to situations as they arise, rather than panicking and taking out their frustration on others.
It is possible to channel negative energy into positive thinking and devise ways and means to help you and your family get through this present time. Children have good ideas and if they are old enough to contribute, include them in your decision-making, your rationing, and the balancing of your budget.
Under no circumstances must children be used in any negative activity to earn money for their parents or families. This includes sending children to beg, sell or to work for someone privately, either on a farm or in a house. This will put a child at risk. It is a parental responsibility to provide for children, not the other way around. There are laws in Guyana that prohibit children from being used and abused; adults can be fined and imprisoned.
If you spot anything suspicious concerning a child don’t just ignore it. It is your civil duty to report your suspicions to the Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA).
If you are concerned about the welfare of a child call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY,
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL PROTECTION
