Violence against Caribbean children

Violence Against Children In The Caribbean Region The nations of the Caribbean are an eclectic set: including small islands as well as quite substantial continent-bound countries; countries independent for over 40 years, some still dependents of the colonial states; middle-high level incomes to the poorest state in the Western hemisphere; some with rates of violence among the highest in the world, and others fairly idyllic with crime almost non-existent. The Caribbean presents a unique case with respect to research on child rights and child rights issues. It has been found that the legacy of slavery may help to explain the social and cultural traditions that have hindered acceptance of the child rights revolution. The widespread use and subsequent acceptance of physical punishment as a suitable form of disciplining and punishing children, and even to some extent adults, is undoubtedly a legacy of slavery. It has also been suggested that the emphasis on criminal sanctions as a means of solving social problems rather than more passive alternatives such as conflict resolution or mediation evident in much of the new legislation concerning the protection of children, may also reflect the continued influence of values associated with the period when the institution of slavery was central to Caribbean societies.The legacy of the colonial period has proven to be a barrier to the child rights revolution. Physical Violence The use of corporal punishment as a form of discipline is common in the Caribbean region and is used to discipline children from very young ages.There is widespread support for the use of corporal punishment by parents in the Caribbean although severe forms of punishment leading to injury are generally not condoned. Similarly, surveys of children’s views report that the majority of children themselves believe that physical punishment is a valid and necessary form of discipline. Sexual Violence In the vast majority of reported cases of sexual abuse, the victims are girls.There is a general belief in the Caribbean that girls in single parent households are most at risk and that the perpetrator is most often the stepfather or mother’s boyfriend.The under reporting of sexual abuse is reported to be partially due to the condoning of the abusive sexual relationship by other household members due to financial dependence on the perpetrator. Even in cases where the perpetrator is reported, the legal procedures can prevent prosecution. For example, children need to be able to give credible evidence and the defense lawyers are often so intimidating that the child becomes upset and confused and the evidence is declared not credible. A matter of concern in the Caribbean is the limited provision of services relating to family rehabilitation. A focus only on the victim leads to the child’s life being disrupted and the perpetrator often being left to victimize other children. Efforts to address violence against children require better coordination, reporting procedures and management. This includes a specific and documented budget focused on the plight of the children. Greater participation of children in addressing the issues must be observed. In addition, further studies must be commissioned to unearth and understand the extent of the problem before policies can be formulated to adequately and efficiently address the issues. Reference UNICEF(2006)VIOLENCE AGAINST CHILDREN IN THE CARIBBEAN REGION: A REGIONAL ASSESSMENT Retrieved on March 27, from http://www.unicef.org/lac/Caribe_web(1).pdf

A survivor's story

The Resilience of Kristine. Kristine is the fictitious name I have given to child who lived in my neighborhood when I was growing up. She endured severe violence as a child.Kristine was the only child of her mother that I knew of. Her mother was a trader so she would travel to various countries very often to buy goods and return to sell them. Kristine was left in the care of an uncle and his two teenage daughters. They treated Kristine most unkind. She was just about seven years old and was forced to clean the house and wash the clothes. Whenever she refused she was beaten mercilessly by her two cousins. I remember sometimes they beat her all the way up the road if she decided to run away. They would starve her and tell her all sorts of abusive words. When Kristine was about twelve her two cousins plotted with a younger cousin from their mother's family to rape Kristine. Then, they told all the children on the street what had happened to Kristine. She was terribly embarrassed. Most of the other children laughed at Kristine but I remember feeling sympathy for her. The adults in the neighborhood tried to get help for Kristine but the welfare kept sending her back. When she was old enough she left that home and for many years I did not see her. Her cousins said that she had gone in search of her mother. Several years later Kristine returned. She said that she was living in Barbados. She had met someone special who was taking good care of her. She was back in school and had a bright outlook for the future. Most importantly she had met God and was back to let her cousins know that she had forgiven them. I am not sure what process she went through to get her where she was, but I was happy to see her happy and looking healthy and successful. I was truly amazed at her resilience.

IMMUNIZATION I choose this public health issue because I know how important it is to the safe development and survival of young children and adults. I also chose this topic because I am proud of the success story on immunization we have in Guyana. Immunization has been made mandatory in Guyana. Since this law came into being almost all babies born in the country are vaccinated. The stats below released by the Ministry of Health tell the story. Percent of children 19-35 months old receiving vaccinations for: Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis (4+ doses DTP, DT, or DTaP): 84% Polio (3+ doses): 93% Measles (MMR) (1+ doses): 90% Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) (primary series +booster dose): 55% Hepatitis B (Hep B) (3+ doses): 92% Chickenpox (1+ Varicella doses): 90% Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) (4+doses): 80% This year immunization week is being held from April 20-27 under the theme "Immunization the power to protect". Immunizations have helped children stay healthy for more than 50 years. They are safe and they work. In fact, serious side effects are no more common than those from other types of medication. Vaccinations have reduced the number of infections from vaccine-preventable diseases by more than 90%! Yet many parents still question their safety because of misinformation they’ve received. That’s why it’s important to turn to a reliable and trusted source. including your child's doctor, for information. The information that I have learnt will impact my future work in positive ways because there would be many healthy happy children in the years to come. As an early childhood advocate, I will continue to support mandatory immunization in my country so that our success story will continue in the generations to come.

I have not yet had the experience of giving birth, but I have seen many videos and supported my brother and his wife when they brought my nephew into the world.I vividly remember the excitement as we awaited his arrival in to the world. I have heard mothers describe the process as a bitter/sweet experience. Bitter because of the pain felt when the baby moves through the birth canal. The experience becomes 'sweet' when their new babies are placed in their arms. The birthing process is a very delicate sensitive period. It is also very critical to later development. Doctors and mid-wives take special care to avoid complications which may include brain damage due to a lack of oxygen, hearing impairments and the transferal of diseases such as Syphilis and AIDS. Unfortunately,in my country Guyana, many of the women that live in the hinterland(forested/mountainous)regions do not have access to hospitals and in rear cases no access to any maternity health facility.It is therefore no surprise that most of these women have home deliveries. There is usually an experienced mid-wife, not necessarily trained, who performs the deliveries.Sometimes if the delivery is extremely complicated they would fly the patient out to the closest hospital.However, sometimes because the expecting mothers are not able to access prenatal care the complications are unknown until delivery. This puts both mother and child at great risk.