The Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago assures the public that the child seen in a video picking up garbage with his bare hands is not being abused. The video was shared via social media on the evening of Sunday 1 st November, 2020.
The Authority’s Licensing and Monitoring Unit, which is responsible for continuous monitoring and evaluation of Children’s Homes, conducted an investigation on Monday. This is part of the Authority’s protocol when reports of breaches are received about children in residential care. The investigation included independent discussions with the child, other children who witnessed the incident, as well as the Manager of the Home and the caregiver.
Following the investigation, the Authority has advised the Management of the Home to implement the necessary safety measures that would ensure the protection of the children in their care.
The Authority will continue to monitor the Home through announced and unannounced visits, to verify that recommendations have been put into effect. The Authority is aware that caregivers at the country’s 41 Children’s Homes provide tremendous support to the healthy development of the children in residential care. The Authority, therefore, salutes all caregivers for their yeoman service, especially during these challenging times.
Meanwhile, the Authority thanks the public for its response to suspicions of child abuse and reminds that “child protection is everybody’s business”.
The public is encouraged to report concerns about a child’s safety to the Authority’s Hotline at 996 or the Police at 999.