‘Every branch of the system designed to protect vulnerable children failed him and the thousands more who are and were in the care of the various children’s homes around our country’
By Alicia Chamely
DEAR LORD, you know I try to be a good person. I try not to judge, I try to forgive, but right now I am at a loss. I cannot, not cast judgement and cannot forgive those who were and are aware of the abuse of our nation’s children and have done nothing, or are not doing anything about it.
I have felt sick to my stomach the last two weeks over the Judith Jones Report, the Sabga Report and the stories from former ward of the Jaya Lakshmi Children’s home resident Clevon Oliver.
Speaking with CNC3 , Oliver discussed the neglect, the cruel physical punishment and the sexual abuse he experienced in the four years he spent at the home. It is amazing to me that this brave, young man can get out of bed every day and live a productive life. His story is heartbreaking and incredibly enraging.
He said to escape the abuse he ran away twice. Both times when he was found he was scolded by the police rather than asked why he was running away.
Every branch of the system designed to protect vulnerable children failed him and the thousands more who are and were in the care of the various children’s homes around our country.
The Sabga report, which was compiled in 1997, uncovered mass abuse in the homes as well as financial corruption through kickbacks. The report drew allegations that certain high-powered officials were involved in exploiting these children. It was all there, on paper and nothing was done.
You know I love how the United National Congress was recently patting itself on the back that none of their party members were named in the report, acting like that absolves them of any responsibility.
Well, I hate to break it to you guys, but you are just as culpable. That report was done under the Panday administration, it was given to the UNC Government and nothing was done. In fact, the current leader of the UNC Kamla Persad Bissessar was a part of that administration. Years later she would ascend to prime minister and had the ammo to do something, but did nothing. So, your hands have just as much blood on them as those involved in the actual abuse.
In fact, every politician regardless of party who held power between 1997 and now is guilty. The report was always there and nothing was done.
Forget the report! Rumours and allegations of abuse taking place in our children’s homes have always been around and nothing has been done.
The Judith Jones Report uncovered similar reports of abuse, as well as shed light on the amount of these children’s homes that are unlicensed and unregulated.
All of this, has me wondering where our Children’s Authority and ministry of social development have been? Abuse in children’s homes has been reported time and time again, yet these homes remain open and continue to get government subventions! Are you serious! Does anybody really give a damn, because it appears not!
So now I turn to you, our current Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley. You have said that this term will be your last foray in the political arena and I would like you to think about what your legacy would be. Will it be the prime minister who received a report on child abuse and failed to act accordingly? Will you be the former pime minister who made a bunch of excuses, let things lapse and left office hoping someone else will take on this task.
Or will you be the prime minister who stands up for our nation’s children and makes the difficult decisions needed to repair our broken system of child protection? Will you be the prime minister who ensured these abusers were exposed and prosecuted? Will you be the prime minister who won’t leave with many friends, but will leave knowing our children are safe? Will you be remembered as the prime minister who took steps to heal the decades’ worth of trauma that has been inflicted upon our nation?
Can’t Forgive Abusers of Children
‘Every branch of the system designed to protect vulnerable children failed him and the thousands more who are and were in the care of the various children’s homes around our country’
DEAR LORD, you know I try to be a good person. I try not to judge, I try to forgive, but right now I am at a loss. I cannot, not cast judgement and cannot forgive those who were and are aware of the abuse of our nation’s children and have done nothing, or are not doing anything about it.
I have felt sick to my stomach the last two weeks over the Judith Jones Report, the Sabga Report and the stories from former ward of the Jaya Lakshmi Children’s home resident Clevon Oliver.
Speaking with CNC3 , Oliver discussed the neglect, the cruel physical punishment and the sexual abuse he experienced in the four years he spent at the home. It is amazing to me that this brave, young man can get out of bed every day and live a productive life. His story is heartbreaking and incredibly enraging.
He said to escape the abuse he ran away twice. Both times when he was found he was scolded by the police rather than asked why he was running away.
Every branch of the system designed to protect vulnerable children failed him and the thousands more who are and were in the care of the various children’s homes around our country.
The Sabga report, which was compiled in 1997, uncovered mass abuse in the homes as well as financial corruption through kickbacks. The report drew allegations that certain high-powered officials were involved in exploiting these children. It was all there, on paper and nothing was done.
You know I love how the United National Congress was recently patting itself on the back that none of their party members were named in the report, acting like that absolves them of any responsibility.
Well, I hate to break it to you guys, but you are just as culpable. That report was done under the Panday administration, it was given to the UNC Government and nothing was done. In fact, the current leader of the UNC Kamla Persad Bissessar was a part of that administration. Years later she would ascend to prime minister and had the ammo to do something, but did nothing. So, your hands have just as much blood on them as those involved in the actual abuse.
In fact, every politician regardless of party who held power between 1997 and now is guilty. The report was always there and nothing was done.
Forget the report! Rumours and allegations of abuse taking place in our children’s homes have always been around and nothing has been done.
The Judith Jones Report uncovered similar reports of abuse, as well as shed light on the amount of these children’s homes that are unlicensed and unregulated.
All of this, has me wondering where our Children’s Authority and ministry of social development have been? Abuse in children’s homes has been reported time and time again, yet these homes remain open and continue to get government subventions! Are you serious! Does anybody really give a damn, because it appears not!
So now I turn to you, our current Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley. You have said that this term will be your last foray in the political arena and I would like you to think about what your legacy would be. Will it be the prime minister who received a report on child abuse and failed to act accordingly? Will you be the former pime minister who made a bunch of excuses, let things lapse and left office hoping someone else will take on this task.
Or will you be the prime minister who stands up for our nation’s children and makes the difficult decisions needed to repair our broken system of child protection? Will you be the prime minister who ensured these abusers were exposed and prosecuted? Will you be the prime minister who won’t leave with many friends, but will leave knowing our children are safe? Will you be remembered as the prime minister who took steps to heal the decades’ worth of trauma that has been inflicted upon our nation?
The choice is yours.