By Chantalé Fletcher
AN investigative team has been established to look into reports of child abuse at institutions across Trinidad and Tobago.
This was announced by Minister of Gender and Child Affairs Ayanna Webster-Roy in a release on Thursday.
The independent investigative team has been appointed to conduct reports of child abuse at children’s homes, rehabilitation centres and other institutions which provide residential care for children.
Webster-Roy said, “The investigation began on July 5 and the team is chaired by retired Appeal Court Judge Justice Judith Jones.”
She also added that the team will also investigate the incidence or situations of children absconding from such facilities.
“The Government notes its responsibility associated with the care, protection and supervision of children as enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child and embodied in the Package of Children’s Legislation of 2015,” the minister stated.
Webster-Roy said, “While there exists policy and procedures for recording, monitoring and treating with incidents of child abuse, it continues, with recent allegations in the media of abuse to children housed at several Children’s Homes and a Child Support Centre.”
In addition, she added that concerted efforts must be made to eliminate its occurrence at these child care facilities.
Webster-Roy said “As Minister, it is my duty to seek the best interest of children and to do all that is possible to ensure that all boys and girls are happy, healthy and confident that their rights are respected, protected and promoted to facilitate their holistic development towards achieving their fullest potential as active contributors to society”, as outlined in the National Child Policy, found at: www.opm-gca.gov.tt/National-Child-Policy.”
Webster-Roy explained that the government continues to establish and put into operation relevant institutional and other arrangements to address the needs of children and, in particular, arrangements to ensure the care and protection of those children who are Wards of the State and in need of care and placed at residential child care facilities.
Moreover, she has also directed the Children’s Authority to work with the Child Protection Unit of the Police Service to pay special attention to the issue of child abuse in the exercise of its functions, particularly the licensing, monitoring and evaluation exercise of Children’s Homes, Rehabilitation Centres, Child Support Centres and any other institution under the remit of the Authority.
The team conducting the investigation is chaired by retired Appeal Court Judge, Justice Judith Jones and comprises:
- Lawrence J Arjoon, Child/Youth NGO Representative;
- Lorenzo P Chariandy Rt., Youth Programming;
- Aisha Corbie, Clinical Psychologist;
- Dr Mona Dillon, Social Worker;
- Aaron George, Youth Representative;
- Claire E Gittens Rt., Social Worker;
- Marcus V Kissoon, Researcher: Gender and Development;
- Keshan Latchman, Clinical Psychologist; and
- Dr Stacy-Ann Phillip, Child Psychiatrist
Webster-Roy said the investigation will take place over a period of four months and will involve interviews, document reviews, submissions and site visits to various facilities and organisations servicing children.
