Study Exposes the Extent of Child Sexual Abuse in the Eastern Caribbean

The findings of a comprehensive study on Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) in the Eastern Caribbean were discussed with key stakeholders in Nevis on the 1st of February, 2010 at the Red Cross conference room on Chapel Street. Persons from all walks of life turned out in their numbers to listen to the findings. The big turn out of folks at the symposium indicated that Nevisians are tired and they are saying they have had enough of this absurd and crazy act that is damaging our society.

The study “Perceptions of, Attitudes to and Opinions on Child Sexual Abuse in the Eastern Caribbean” was commissioned by the UNICEF Office for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean in a joint programming initiative with UNIFEM. It was undertaken by the University of Huddersfield and Action for Children, with partial funding from the UK Department for International Development.

The landmark study, which was carried out in five other Eastern Caribbean countries, in addition to St. Kitts and Nevis, was principally aimed at investigating perceptions of child sexual abuse; exploring attitudes towards the perpetrators of child sexual exploitation; and garnering opinions on the forms of action that might make a difference.

While not designed to measure the prevalence of child sexual abuse, the study highlighted an alarming picture of a social problem which is perceived to be escalating, has increasingly severe consequences for Caribbean societies, and has multiple layers. The researchers concluded that the practice is perpetuated not only by adults who carry out harmful sexual practices with children, but by non-abusing adults through complicity, silence, denial and failure to take appropriate action.

The researcher team, led by Professor Adele Jones of the University of Huddersfield and Ena Trotman Jemmott, a Consultant working on the behalf of Action For Children, confirmed findings reflected in other studies that  the majority of child abuse was committed by adult men, with most victims being girls. However, it also indicated that the abuse of boys, mostly by men also, was a significant and growing problem. Men who abuse children were reported as coming from all social backgrounds, walks of life, professional groups, levels of education and ages.

Lead Researcher Professor Adele Jones, in an exclusive interview with The Leewards Times, said that the findings are very crucial; it is the very first time that there has been scientific evidence of the problem and also some people’s perception of the problem were known. “It is quite clear that some people do not think that there is anything wrong in adults having sex with children. Now that we know that for sure, it tells us that we can do a lot in terms of public education,” she said. The revelation of their findings she noted means that programs can now be developed based on evidence rather than just on anecdote.

According to the findings the role of women in CSA is that they turn a blind eye to it. “The role of women in St. Kitts and Nevis was that they often know about it and they don’t take any action or don’t want to take any action, they don’t want to believe the child. They may be concerned that if they believe the child they may not be able to survive as a family because their boyfriend or step father is the bread winner.”

The professor insinuated there is evidence that CSA is always a problem in the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis, it isn’t a new problem but there is evidence also that it is on the rise. The rise she said is as a result of some particular factors, “for example the internet use, cell phone pornography, children using cell phones to take pornographic images of themselves and each other. Internet abuse is on the rise, so it means that there are some increasing trends and also there is some evidence of child sex tourism which is a new form of child sexual abuse.”

Some of the recommendations made are: the development of a regional strategic plan for building abuse-free childhoods based on a whole of society approach. The reframing of child sexual abuse at the policy level as a public health issue. Governments should adopt the child/family friendly approach to budgeting, social planning and economic development that has been promoted by UNICEF and Action for Children. The introduction of child-sensitive justice systems for child sexual abuse crimes is necessary. Also present at the symposium was Minister of Social Development, Hon. Hensley Daniel.

Source: http://www.leewardstimes.com/jla/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=690:study-exposes-the-extent-of-child-sexual-abuse-in-the-eastern-caribbean-&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50