“Do better!”
That’s the warning to 85 people who would have potentially interfered with 85 children in matters which were the subject of forensic interviews done by the Children’s Authority of T&T during this fiscal year.
The warning came yesterday from Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Ayanna Webster-Roy (Gender and Child Affairs Division), who also posed questions to the families of 622 children who were placed in children’s homes.
Addressing the work of the Children’s Authority in monitoring children’s homes and care centres for the current fiscal period, she said, “They would have done 85 forensic interviews and if you know the forensic interviews, you know that means that something would have gone wrong. So again, I want to speak to those 85 persons who would have potentially interfered with 85 children, do better, do better.”
“What are you doing?” she queried.
Webster-Roy spoke about the issues in Parliament in response to a motion by United National Congress MP Barry Padarath. He’d called on Government to implement effective data-driven policies, take all urgent steps to protect T&T’s children immediately and reprimanded Government for its failure to effectively protect and support children.
Webster-Roy countered that the well-being of children had always been at the heart of Government’s work and regardless of its circumstances, the administration had never wavered in its commitment of putting people first.
She also said, “I’m not saying everything is perfect, but work has been done and we’ll continue working, as this Government will always have at its heart, at the core of its business, our nation’s children.”
“... They could call me self-righteous; they could say I crying crocodile tears, but until I’m no longer in the position to advocate for children, I want to reassure the children of T&T we have heard you! And we’ll continue to fight for you and we intend to see a better T&T—but we must all, as citizens, do our part.”
Among the authority’s achievements for this fiscal year, Webster-Roy said it would have done 85 forensic interviews.
“And if you look at forensic interviews, you know that means that something might have gone wrong. So again, I want to speak to those 85 persons who’d have potentially interfered with 85 children—do better. Do better...”
She said 381 forensic medical examinations were conducted, as well as 1,780 clinical interviews, 621 psychological assessments, 548 general medical examinations and 233 new multi-disciplinary assessments.
The authority also received 530 children into residential care. Children’s homes provided care and accommodation for 622 children.
She added, “I often say when children end up by my ‘gate’, it’s because something went wrong. We need to look at the 622 families and ask them ‘what are you doing’?”
“We have to look at those communities and ask them, ‘how are we supporting our vulnerable families so that our children don’t end up in care of the state! It’s the right of a child to be in a loving stable home.”
The Children’s Authority also investigated 19 complaints against homes and suspended the operations of two in this fiscal year. The authority also licensed five children’s homes.
Some 1, 338 matters were attended to for children in need of supervision and children in conflict with the law and 326 urgent reports were submitted to the courts.
She said several measures aligned with recommendations to improve the situation are already in the works, pushed by her division and the authority to ensure history doesn’t repeat itself.
Webster-Roy also warned that “fly by night” baby care centres will be monitored “very, very, very closely.”
Next month, a home for migrant girls will be commissioned as a collaborative effort between her division, international partners and the Ministry of National Security.
Webster-Roy urged children to reach out for help.
“Help is available, please remember to reach out on the hotline—police 999, Child Line 131, Children’s 996. If you require help, reach out. If you don’t reach out, we won’t get information to assist you.”
Webster-Roy, who gave the commitment that the Cabinet and Prime Minister all championed the cause of children, added that although some said the Finance Minister’s “hand was tight,” when it came to children, he always found creative ways to ensure the division received its allocation.
She said Government wouldn’t cover up any instance of child abuse. She said when information had come over the years 2020-21 to her division or via social media, it was decided to have independent investigation and ascertain the root cause beyond hearsay and this was done.
Webster-Roy recalled another incident where a probe was done and when the report arrived, she was insistent the person be fired. But she said the investigator advised her against emotion and to let facts guide for development of policy. Wherever there’s been lack of policy, measures have been taken to improve this, she added.
“You never know
the heart of a man”
Minister Webster-Roy said over 2017 to 2019, four cohorts of training were designed to prepare people to work with children. She said the best people were chosen, particularly people who didn’t have an intention to harm.
“Even with all the best measures in place, you never know the heart of a man. We could screen all we want, train all we want but if somebody’s determined to be wicked and evil, they will be wicked and evil. It’s our duty to ensure continuous monitoring and evaluation,” she added.
Government is also reviewing its caregivers programme, “As we understand there are some elements of the course that need strengthening to ensure when people begin work they’re doing that in the child’s best interest.”
She assured there are policies to protect children and efforts continue to monitor any gaps with the aim of filling them.
Government is also aware of licensing challenges with homes, but the majority that are not licensed require infrastructure improvements to get licensed and are mostly private institutions.
The Children’s Authority improved the licensing status of 14 children’s homes and conducted 240 monitoring visits to children’s homes, she said.
Webster-Roy also cited 6,687 monitoring and follow up engagements with minors which are critical for assisting families to manage the challenging behaviour of minors in their care.
The National Children’s registry is on its way despite hurdles. She said national child safeguard strategy focusing on rights of children and preventing gender-based violence and child abuse will emerge from the registry in 2022.