Gov’t launches ‘Tell Scheme’ to tackle child abuse

Child abuse is everybody’s business, Human Services Minister Jennifer Webster said as the ministry in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) launched the TELL Campaign on Monday at the Regency Suites, Hadfield Street, Georgetown.
Addressing scores of stakeholders, the minister said the country’s children are the nation’s future, and they must be protected, and given the environment to develop their full potential.
“Child abuse and sexual abuse is everybody’s business and we all need to speak out. It is my hope with the launch of the TELL Scheme that we do whatever it takes to prevent sexual violence against children… we must dedicate our efforts to change inappropriate attitudes towards our children… child abuse leads to the destruction of a child,” Webster contended.
The campaign aims to empower children to speak out against all forms of abuse perpetrated against them.
“The TELL Scheme is meant to target our primary school children and it is meant to support the overall public awareness of the Sexual Offences Act, with the primary objective being to encourage disclosure by our children,” she said.
The minister stated that it is important to emphasise that a life free of violence is a basic human right; however, the unfortunate fact is that the right is often violated by adults.

“There is nothing excusable about child abuse and sexual violence and abuse; there is no justification for this. I would like to signal our zero-tolerance for child and sexual abuse,” Webster said.
The minister said the Human Services and Social Security Ministry will continue to work with supporting agencies, noting that with the Tell campaign, children will be able to speak about unsafe touches and abusive situations they have experienced.
She noted that there are plans to continue to educate children as it is important that they should be able to recognise when they are being abused. The campaign, she noted will teach children to identify some of the ways in which they can be abused, and to speak out.
“The role of adults in eliminating sexual violence and abuse in our society is necessary; it is time adults take responsibility to ensure children are kept safe from harm, neglect, sexual abuse, pain and other forms of violence should form no part in the lives of our children… it can be prevented, adults owe it to the children to take action,” she said.
First Lady Deolatchmee Ramotar said that the launch of the scheme is an important first step in not only bringing awareness and stimulating dialogue on the issue of violence, especially sexual violence against children, but it brings hope to tackle the initiative in a collaborative manner.
“Sexual crimes against children shock our collective social psyche and move us to want to be better and do better for our children… let us protect our children’s innocence because it is important for the healthy growth and evolution of society,” she said.
“… it is the duty of society to be vigilant and educate all around them about the social problems stemming from child abuse. I want for this campaign to develop and give everyone the right to speak out and relate to someone any form of abuse experienced,” she added.