Media Releases

The Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago is saddened by the death of 7-year-old McKenzie Hope Rechia, who was found at her home in Palo Seco last week Friday.

The Authority received a report with respect to the child and the case management process was initiated. In addition, a report was sent to the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service.

While the circumstances surrounding the child’s death are still under investigation, the Authority will continue to work with its partners in the child protection system, to optimise care and protection of the nation’s children.

The Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago joins the call by the Minister of Gender and Child Affairs, Ayanna Webster-Roy and UNICEF, and encourages the youth across the country to use the social messaging tool U-Report. Developed by UNICEF, U-Report provides a valuable platform for the voice of the youth, connecting and empowering them as they speak on and exchange information about issues that matter to them.

U-Report is a free social monitoring tool for community participation, designed to address issues that young people care about. According to UNICEF, this mobile empowerment programme connects young people all over the world to information that will change their lives and influence their decisions.

Through U-Report, youth can provide valuable information when reporting on what’s happening in their communities, and with it help improve their own lives and that of their peers and families. Polls and alerts are sent out to U-Reporters and real-time response information is collected. Results and ideas are shared back with the community.1 The U-Report WhatsApp number is 296-7723.

Sharon Morris-Cummings, acting Director of the Authority said: “The increasing incidents of violence against children, the number of children being brought before the Courts for reasons including challenging behaviours, and the increasing number of children with mental health issues, all speak to some of the sensitive and traumatic experiences of our children. Providing more and better opportunities for them to have their voices heard, can only redound to the national benefit.”

The Authority will continue to advocate for the voice of the child and welcomes all initiatives aimed at giving children a voice so they can achieve their full potential. Their voice is critical in identifying challenges and creating solutions for the complex issues which confront them. Therefore, the Authority commends the use of this platform which in effect amplifies the opportunities for the voice of the child to be heard.

The public is reminded that concerns about the care and protection of children should be reported to the Authority’s Hotline at 996 or the Police at 999.

Trinidad and Tobago – The Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago and UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, helped reunite a Venezuelan teenager with her parents in Brazil, following a year-long separation.

On Tuesday, July 5, 15-year-old Josbelis, accompanied by a caseworker from the Children’s Authority, departed Piarco International Airport early in the morning, and a few hours later that evening landed at the Brasilia International Airport in Brazil– straight into the arms of her waiting father.

Sharon Morris-Cummings, Acting Director of the Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, said, “Our guiding principle is that children thrive best when they are in familial environments. Therefore, we were very pleased to play an integral role, alongside other key stakeholders in the child protection system, to reunite this child with her family. Strategic collaboration with our partners can lead to positive outcomes for the children who need our care and protection, as well as for their families. The Authority will continue to work with stakeholders in support of children and to strengthen families in Trinidad and Tobago.”

UNHCR Trinidad and Tobago’s Head of Protection, Amanda Solano, said, “Finding solutions through complementary pathways is important. Family reunification is a long-term solution for refugees, and we are happy to help in any way we can. This is an example of a successful family reunification and how governments, the international community and national organisations can work together to provide protection for refugees and migrants.”

Getting Josbelis to Brazil required close co-ordination among the Children’s Authority, UNHCR, governments, airlines and international organizations,
including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), which provided her with an Emergency Travel Document.

Josbelis arrived alone in Trinidad and Tobago in 2021. As a child, her situation was particularly vulnerable. She was placed under the care of the Children’s Authority, whose mission was to find a way to get her back safely to her parents.

UNHCR Trinidad and Tobago reached out to the Children’s Authority after learning of Josbelis’ situation through its network of contacts and partners, including the Living Water Community. This network, which includes stakeholders from the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, international humanitarian organisations and local NGOs, works together closely to ensure refugee and migrant children are protected according to the International Convention on the Rights of the Child.

As the school year ends, the Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago, urges parents and guardians to keep children safe during the school holidays.

The Authority notes that children are more vulnerable to accidents, harm and abuse during vacation periods, as a result of their changed routines, and a general lack of adequate supervision and caregiver awareness. Therefore, parents and guardians are encouraged to make suitable arrangements for the care of their children during the July-August vacation.

While holiday and sporting camps provide excellent vacation activities, parents and guardians should enquire from organisers about safety measures being implemented to keep children safe from abuse. The Authority notes that teaching children how to protect themselves from abuse is important. Parents and guardians should also keep an open line of communication, so children feel comfortable disclosing any incidents that may have occurred.

Over the past seven years, the Authority has noted that over 70 percent of all reports received, fall within the categories of sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse and neglect, with children under the age of 13 being the most vulnerable. Parents and guardians, therefore, are encouraged to be mindful of the following, as they seek to keep their children safe:
• Teach children Ok and Not Ok touches and that their body is their own and no one has a right to touch their body.
• Teach children that it’s okay to say “no” to unwanted hugs, kisses, or other affection, even from family members.
• Know who is supervising your child.
• Ask about sleeping arrangements and who frequents the household, when children are spending time away from home.
• Be aware of your child’s online activity.
• Monitor your child’s friendships, especially with adults who repeatedly attempt to spend time alone with your child, away from others.
• Utilise non-physical forms of discipline to reduce incidents of physical abuse.
• Keep a watchful eye on children at the beach, river and pool, and secure open containers of water at home.
• Teach children about road safety.
• Ensure that potential hazards at home are well-stored and kept out of the reach of children.
• Remind children of emergency contact numbers and what should be done in case of an emergency.
• Safely participate in the various fun and sporting activities offered for children during the vacation time!

For more tips, go to 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.

In accordance with its powers under Sections 4 and 5 of the Children’s Community Residences, Foster Care and Nurseries Act, Chap. 46:04, the Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago has refused the application for Licence of the Sylphill Home in Love in Tobago. As a result, the operations of the Children’s Home have ceased.

The Authority continues to provide all children who have been relocated with the necessary psycho-social support and intervention.

The move to cease operations at the Sylphill Home is consistent with the Authority’s efforts to ensure the best interest and overall welfare of children in care.

The Authority will continue to advocate for the care, protection and rehabilitation of all children as we “defend and support child rights and make child protection everybody’s business”.

The Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago has relocated 18 children from one of its Child Support Centres, following an early morning fire of unknown origin. There are no reports of any injuries.

Quick response by caregivers and security officers on duty, in accordance with the Authority’s Critical Incident Policy, led to the immediate evacuation of all the children, who have since been relocated to another facility.

Fire officers responded and were able to bring the fire under control.

The top floor of the two-storey building has been damaged.

The families of the children are being notified of the situation and assured that all the children are safe. Counselling support is also being provided to the children.

Fire officers will be conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the fire.

The Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago is deeply concerned and saddened by the deaths of three children in recent days and extends condolences to their families and friends.

The Authority notes that the deaths emphasise the need for families and society at large to challenge the traditional norms which influence the way children are cared for and treated. Every child deserves to grow up in a child-friendly society that aids in the development and protection of children, as well as respects and upholds their rights.

The Authority’s data shows that physical abuse is the second highest type of child abuse reported to the organisation, which is often administered by parents and guardians, under the guise of discipline. The Authority, therefore, is calling for an end to corporal punishment.

Parents, guardians, and child-care workers are reminded that corporal punishment is not an effective technique to discipline children. Research shows that the use of corporal punishment can often lead to physical harm, sometimes causing serious damage, long-term disability or death; mental health issues, including behavioural and anxiety disorders, depression, hopelessness, low self-esteem, self-harm and suicide attempts, alcohol and drug dependency, hostility and emotional instability, which may often continue into adulthood.

In fact, physical punishment only seeks to deter undesirable behaviour by instilling fear. It does not teach what is the more appropriate behaviour and can result in children secretly continuing the undesirable behaviour when they do not fear being caught or in some cases, in spite of the physical punishment. Physical punishment also perpetuates norms of using aggression and violence to solve problems.

The Authority will continue to engage its stakeholders and sensitise parents, guardians and caregivers to utilise alternative means of discipline, so as to reduce the incidents of child physical abuse.

The following should be considered, as we rethink and reframe our approach to discipline, for the sake of our children:
• Reinforce boundaries and expectations of behaviour
• Reward good behaviours
• Administer consequences for undesirable actions immediately or close in time to the infraction, and in a manner that is age and developmentally appropriate and proportionate to the infraction
• Discuss with your child the inappropriate behaviour you want to see changed
• Use time-out or take away privileges from children such as games, devices, outdoor events or playing with friends for a short period of time
• Avoid disciplining children when angry as heightened emotions can make matters worse. Instead, walk away, take deep breaths and try talking to your child when you have calmed down about the unacceptable behaviour
• Seek professional help, especially when dealing with children who may be displaying challenging behaviours

For assistance in learning how to treat with challenging behaviours of children, the public is encouraged to contact the National Family Services Division, Ministry of Social Development and Family Services at 623-2608 ext. 6701-6711 or the Authority at 996 or 800-2014.

The public is reminded that Child Protection is Everybody’s Business and the abuse of children is a criminal offence. Therefore, all incidents of abuse should be reported to the Police at 999 or the Authority’s Hotline at 996 or 800-2014.

To commemorate Child Abuse Prevention Month, which is recognised every year in April, the Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago has launched its Child Safety Campaign – with a focus on Child Sexual Abuse.

The campaign, launched in collaboration with UNICEF, will increase awareness of what is child sexual abuse, how to identify it, and the need to report it.

Since the Authority became operational in May 2015, data collected has shown that child sexual abuse continues to be one of the leading categories of abuse reported to its hotline. In fact, from 2017 to 2021 sexual abuse has accounted for over 23 percent of all reports received. A troubling reality
reflected by the data, is the fact that most cases of sexual abuse reported to the Authority have been perpetrated by adults known to the child. Another matter of increasing concern, is sexual grooming, both in person and online, which in most instances can be difficult to detect. The campaign will
therefore focus on specific messaging that will help parents, guardians and children identify the strategies used by groomers to trick children to engage in sexual activity.

The Authority notes that there is a need for greater awareness of child sexual abuse, since many abuse cases go unreported. It adds that the trauma children experience as a result of sexual abuse, can make rehabilitation challenging for the child and their family.

The public is encouraged to join the Authority in recognising Child Abuse Prevention Month as an opportunity to amplify what we know must occur continuously, to care for and protect our children – the support of parents and guardians to build stronger connections with their children, a change of
mindset and attitudes towards children and their rights, which are to be respected, and the reporting of all forms of child abuse.

Since children will be at home during the Easter vacation, the Authority is calling on family members, community-based organisations, faith-based organisations and non-governmental organisations, to provide an additional layer of support for parents and caregivers who will be at work and in need of
child care services.

Parents should also pay attention to their children’s behaviour for any sudden changes that may be signs of depression. They should encourage an open line of communication, so their children can freely express any concerns.

The Authority urges that care be taken to ensure that children are supervised especially near busy roads and around water.

The public is reminded that “child protection is everybody’s business” and reports of abuse should be made to the Authority’s Hotline at 996 or the Police at 999.

The Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago describes as inaccurate, allegations that it
failed to provide adequately for a child who was in its care, before the child turned 18. The
allegation was made during a Facebook post on Wednesday 5th January, 2022.

The Authority considers the allegation to be unfortunate, given the time taken in
collaborating with the family regarding the care of the child and in making several
interventions, which were all done to give the child the best possible opportunity to achieve
new developmental milestones – with some successes.

The Authority worked tirelessly with several stakeholders in the best interest of the child, to
provide psychiatric support, social interventions and therapy, in the context of the placement
that was provided. Several transition options were also explored, however since each child is
unique, the transition options that may be suitable for one child may not be suitable for
another.

The Authority also convened multi-agency meetings for continuous reviews of this case,
regularly providing the family with information and education on the child’s condition and
referrals to additional agencies that would continue to provide support.
The Authority notes that notwithstanding the actions taken by a member of the family to
remove the child from a facility, which was adequately providing for the child’s needs, it will
continue to work with partner agencies with responsibility for young adults.

The Authority recognises that great compassion is required when dealing with persons with
mental health challenges and that more collaboration and less blaming on the part of families
and communities will allow for the achievement of shared goals.