Oftentimes, parents do not believe reports of abuse when they are shared by their children.
This concern was highlighted by Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Dr. Vindhya Persaud, during a meeting with residents in Woodley Park, West Coast Berbice, on Thursday.
The minister met with residents to address issues as the nation observes Child Protection Week under the theme, “Every Child Safe,” and formally launched its countrywide campaign, “See It, Say It, Stop It.”
“What reports have shown us is that when children tell parents of these things, too many times they are not believed. Too many times they are not listened to, and the child after telling one time or they might go even further and say it twice. What happens after that? The child loses trust,” she told residents.
The minister added that in many cases, parents are the only ones children can put their trust in, as she stressed the importance of safeguarding that trust.
“Do you think a three and four-year-old child can make that up? So the first thing you have to do is start believing your children. Children have rights. Gone are the days when children are seen and not heard. Children must be heard and listened to, and if they’re telling you that something happened– they were molested, raped, and incest is a real thing,” she noted.
Dr. Persaud pointed out that such cases are occurring behind closed doors and carry a stigma of fear, shame, and embarrassment.
She said society fails children when such cases go unreported and assured residents that there will be collaboration within the region to ensure children’s safety.
