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.