Author: Anthony Sumerville

The Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago has been selected as a finalist in the President’s Awards for Innovation and Service Excellence (Pr.A.I.S.E). In September, 2023 the Authority submitted an application to the awards on The Forensic Interview Function, under the Innovation category. In October the Authority was informed that it was shortlisted and would be required to deliver a presentation before a panel of judges in November. The winner of the prestigious award will be announced on December 12th, 2023.

As a finalist, the Authority is also eligible to win the people’s choice award. To date the Authority, in collaboration with the police, has conducted 356 forensic interviews. That means 356 children have benefitted from a child focused interview where they were treated with dignity and respect; recognised as an expert regarding their own experience; and afforded the opportunity to communicate about that experience in their own way. It also means that the police have 356 matters for which statements have been derived to support the criminal investigation process. As a result, the chances of apprehending alleged perpetrators and bringing justice to child victims and their families were increased.

A forensic interview is a semi-structured, non-suggestive, legally defensive and developmentally appropriate process of gathering a child’s account of events. The interview is conducted through a one way mirror and captured via a high-quality audiovisual recording system. This method aims to reduce the trauma associated with conducting multiple interviews and eliminates the need for the child to repeat the disclosure in a courtroom. Additionally, the equipment produces a DVD recording of the 2 interview that adds weight and credibility to a criminal investigation and allows easy review of the interview at any time.

The Pr.A.I.S.E Awards were launched in 2018 by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), under the patronage of Her Excellency Paula-Mae Weekes, O.R.T.T., Former President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. They have brought well-deserved accolades and visibility to public sector agencies and organisations demonstrating innovation and service excellence.

 

The Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago is profoundly saddened by the tragic deaths of three children and wounding of two 14-year-olds, early Thursday morning, and extends condolences to their families and friends.

The Authority notes that the children lost their lives in the very space where they were supposed to feel most at peace, protected and loved. At 10, 14 and 17, they were all on the cusp of new and exciting times in their lives, with much to look forward to.

The Authority remains deeply disturbed by the alarming and increasing trend of violence affecting children, especially gun violence. The organisation continues to condemn the increase in gun violence that is affecting communities and threatening the lives and safety of our country’s children. Many children have suffered injuries and loss of life, as a result of violent acts committed against them by adults or among adults.  Earlier this week, a one-year-old Venezuelan child was struck by a stray bullet, while playing outside his home.

Sheldon Cyrus, Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Authority is appealing for an end to crime in Trinidad and Tobago. He says “the fallout of the war that citizens are waging against each other is leading to broken families. Children also are forced to grow-up without their parents and relatives, and parents and relatives are grieving the loss of their children”.

Mr. Cyrus adds, “the psychological toll that all this loss and grief takes on our society is wide-reaching. The impact goes even further, as our children are now growing in a space where they must be hyper-vigilant – unable to play, rest or even sleep peacefully in their homes.” “Living with that fear”, he notes, “is very damaging and will have repercussions for our children’s future”.

The Authority therefore, renews its call for a return to the “village”, to a time where people took care of each other. As a nation, all efforts must be made to protect children, reduce their risk of exposure to violence, and other dangerous situations. The Authority’s Director/CEO states that “the entire village of trusted adults – parents, relatives and neighbours must recognise that child protection is everybody’s business”.

The national community is encouraged to report any incidents of violence or criminal activity which may affect the safety of a child to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service at 999 or the Authority at 996.

About the Children’s Authority

Established in 2015, the Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago seeks to promote the best interest of children through advocacy, prevention, intervention and collaborative strategies based on multidisciplinary approaches. The Authority seeks to defend and support child rights and make child protection everybody’s business. Since 2015, the Authority has received and dealt with more than 36,000 reports of child abuse in Trinidad and Tobago.

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September is Adoption and Foster Care awareness month in Trinidad and Tobago. It is a time when the Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago shines a light on these two critical spokes in the nation’s child protection wheel.

This year the Authority is seeking to raise awareness and interest in Kinship Foster Care, which is a temporary placement option where a child who has been removed from his/her family of origin is placed with a relative, other than the parent.

Sheldon Cyrus, Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Authority says, “it is our goal to facilitate the reintegration of children in care with their families within the shortest possible timeframe, where possible and in the best interest of the child”.

Mr. Cyrus adds, “we still believe it takes a village to raise a child, and through Kinship Foster Care we can build a legacy by making a positive impact in a child’s life”.

The Authority hopes to attract eligible persons who can provide a safe, loving home for a child in need of care and protection and help the child maintain a sense of his/her culture and connections with family.

The public is reminded that Child Protection is Everybody’s Business and for more information on Foster Care contact the Foster Care Unit at 627-0748 ext. 40988.

 

 

The Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago is urging parents and guardians to put the safety of their children first. The call comes as children will be on vacation during the July-August period.

While the school vacation provides an opportunity for children to be engaged in fun, leisure activities, the Authority advises that these activities should be conducted under the careful supervision of a trusted adult. The Authority notes that children who lack proper supervision are more exposed to accidents, harm and abuse. Parents and guardians are also encouraged to monitor the online activity of their children to protect them from exposure to negative content and online grooming.

The Authority advises parents to observe the following, in an attempt to keep children safe:

• Encourage children to keep personal information private
• Use privacy settings on social media sites
• Teach children Ok and Not Ok touches and that their body is their own and no one has a right to touch them
• Monitor your child’s friendships, especially with adults who repeatedly attempt to spend time alone with your child, away from others.
• Keep hazardous liquids, materials, sharp objects and anything that can potentially cause injury out of a child’s reach.
• Keep a watchful eye on children when at the beach, river and pool. Children should only be allowed to venture into or around bodies of water with an adult present.
• Cover exposed water containers, buckets, barrels and tanks.
• Teach children that it’s okay to say “no” to unwanted hugs, kisses, or other affection, even from family members.
• Ask about sleeping arrangements and who frequents the household, when children are spending time away from home.
• Know who is supervising your child at all times.

Parents and guardians are also encouraged to use non-physical forms of discipline to reduce incidents of physical abuse.

For more tips, visit the Authority’s Facebook page or contact the National Family Services Division, Ministry of Social Development and Family Services at 623-2608 ext. 6701 to 6711.

The public is reminded that “child protection is everybody’s business.” Therefore, we all have a duty to keep our children safe and to report any incident or suspicion of abuse to the Police at 999 or the Authority at 996.