Child abuse and violence against children are increasing, Minister of Gender, Youth and Child Development Verna St Rose-Greaves stated yesterday as she tabled the Children's bill, designed to protect child, in the House of Representatives.
She said Government must adopt a more stringent child-protection regimen.
"It is with mixed feelings that I stand here today: a sense of honour, hope, gratitude; a great deal of anticipation and much trepidation. I say trepidation based on the many attempts made over the years to bring to fruition legislation to protect our nation's children," St Rose-Greaves stated.
She stressed that while this Government would treat with legislation, it was mindful that legislation alone will not protect the nation's children.
"Culture continues to be regarded as a secondary issue and a major blind spot in our society. We must... make shifts in our culture; where children become a priority," she said.
"None of us can forget the many extreme cases which made it to our living rooms through the media. Akiel Chambers, Permanand Persaud, Daniel (Guerra), Sean (Luke)... Those who have disappeared, Marina Henry, Oma Nanan, Vijay Persad, Mark Prescott, Leah Lammy," she said....She noted that in some cases, children were presented both as victim and perpetrator.
Those who do not make it to the public domain live a life of neglect, torture and abuse, she said, noting that in many classrooms there were children with learning challenges, hearing and speech impediments, poor eyesight, diseased teeth, whose development was impeded
