All Children Should be Encouraged to Feel Confident that they Can Succeed

The Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago congratulates all students who received their results for the Secondary Examination Assessment (SEA) yesterday. The Authority notes that the examination is one that brings much stress to students, teachers and parents alike, particularly under the new normal brought on by the pandemic.

The Authority also extends congratulations and note with great pride, the success of children at Children’s Homes, children in Foster Care and those at the Authority’s Child Support Centres who sat the exam. Commendations are also extended to the managers and staff of the Children’s Homes who supported and worked with the children to help them achieve this milestone.

The success in the 2021 SEA highlights that children continue to persevere and show resilience in the midst of difficult times. Parents, teachers and all caregivers should ensure that children are encouraged to feel confident that wherever they are placed, they have the opportunity to succeed.

The Authority appeals to parents and guardians to ensure that all children are celebrated and supported on their efforts.

The Authority continues its commitment to all Children’s Homes and stakeholders to make a positive contribution in the lives of all children in Trinidad and Tobago

Children’s Authority Says Child Abandonment Should Never Be An Option

The Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago is saddened by the recent discovery of a baby, who was found abandoned in bushes in Freeport.
The public is advised that the child has been taken to a safe place and is getting the required medical attention. In addition, the Authority will be managing the case and will provide the necessary interventions, in the best interest of the child.

This discovery is a stark reminder that many children are not receiving the best possible care and protection at home and as such require support.

Parents are reminded that if they are having challenges with caring and protecting their children, they should reach out to trusted family members or friends. Parents are also reminded that they can contact the Authority, the Police, ChildLine or the Ministry of Social Development and Family Services.

The Authority is appealing to persons who may be experiencing social challenges to contact its Hotline at 996 to discuss the available options to best care for their children. This may include either Foster Care or Adoption, which are services managed by the Authority.

Parents are reminded that abandoning a child is an offence. Section 4 (1) (a) of The Children Act, 2012 states that, “Where a person has responsibility for a child and wilfully assaults, illtreats, neglects, abandons or exposes the child or causes or procures the child to be assaulted, ill-treated, neglected, abandoned, or exposed in a manner likely to cause that child suffering or injury to his physical, mental or emotional health, commits an offence of cruelty.

The Authority is aware that many families may be struggling as a result of economic or emotional challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the Authority advises that child abandonment should never be an option.

With World Children’s Day being celebrated today, the Authority is calling on the national community to consider how we can all do our part, “to reimagine a better future for every child” and to join the Authority “to defend and support child rights and make child protection everybody’s business”.

Children’s Authority Calls on the Public to Defend the Rights of Children

The Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago joins in the celebration of World Children’s Day on Friday 20th November, 2020 and calls on the national community “to reimagine a better future for every child.”

As the specialised agency responsible for the care, protection and rehabilitation of the nation’s children, the Authority is an advocate for a greater understanding of child rights. It continues to collaborate with other key stakeholders to raise awareness among children about their rights and responsibilities, through sensitisations in schools and via social media.

It is the human right of every child to grow up in a safe and nurturing environment that is free from abuse, exploitation, harassment or neglect. However, this is not the reality in Trinidad and Tobago, as the Authority continues to receive over 4000 cases of abuse every year and children continue to be abused by those whom they trust.

Data collected through reports to the Authority’s Hotline continue to show sexual abuse, physical abuse and neglect, as the top three types of abuse experienced by children. Since the start of COVID-19 in March 2020, the Authority has seen a growing number of children who are lacking care and guardianship, being emotionally abused and in need of supervision.

Therefore, on World Children’s Day, the Authority is urging the national community to pledge to put the safety of children first and to join the Authority and all other stakeholders as it seeks “to defend and support child rights and make child protection everybody’s business”.

The Authority will also host a Facebook Live Discussion with children on Wednesday 25th November, 2020 at 5:00pm, to hear their views on the issue of child rights. The public is invited to join the Authority as it creates the opportunity for children to express their views. In 2020, the Authority hosted an art competition for children, as part of its efforts to give children an opportunity to share their views on child rights.

Children were invited to submit artwork on one of the following rights: the right to a family; the right to health care; or the right to express their views. Additionally, an animation was developed and distributed to primary schools and libraries across the country, to educate children about their rights and responsibilities.

The children’s art and the 2 animation can be viewed on the Authority’s website at www.ttchildren.org and Facebook page @childrensauthoritytt. The efforts at defending and supporting child rights won’t stop on World Children’s Day but will continue, as the Authority focuses its strategies and activities on eradicating all forms of child abuse.

The public is reminded that concerns about a child’s safety can be reported to the Police at 999, the Children’s Authority at 996 or ChildLine at 131.

Children’s Authority assures child in video is not being abused

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.

Parents urged to teach children the dangers of alcohol consumption and illicit drugs

The Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago is calling on parents to make the care and protection of their children, their number one priority.
The call comes following the circulation of a video with children liming and drinking what appears to be alcohol, outside a residence. The children are also heard using obscene language.
The Authority notes that parents and guardians must take responsibility for teaching children what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. It adds that children should be taught at an early age the dangers of alcohol consumption and illicit drugs.
Parents are reminded of the following:
  • Ensure children are left in the care of trusted and responsible adults
  • Set boundaries about places children may go and enforce them
  • Encourage children to check in with you frequently when they are not at home
  • Monitor closely your child’s social media and cellular phone activity
  • Know your children’s friends and observe any new influences which may affect their behaviour
  • Older children should not be given the responsibility to supervise younger ones
While the date of the video is not known, adults are encouraged to remind children that the COVID-19 pandemic requires behaviour change by all, in order to prevent the spread of the virus.
The Authority is collaborating with the Child Protection Unit of the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service to investigate the matter. According to Section 38 of the Children Act, 2012, the Authority is mandated to contact the parent, guardian or the person with responsibility for a child, once it receives information from the Police that the child was believed to be drinking alcohol.
The public is reminded that “child protection is everybody’s business” and we should not turn a blind eye when children are in danger or engaging in dangerous activity. To report concerns about a child’s safety, contact the Authority’s Hotline at 996 or the Police at 999.