SCARS Bermuda (Saving Children And Revealing Secrets), has applauded the Government for advancing the “extremely important child safeguarding policy”.
Debi Ray Rivers, Founder and Executive Director of SCARS, was responding to the recent announcement that policies emanating out of the National Child Safeguarding Policy would soon be published online.
The charitable group formed “to create greater awareness of the devastation” of child sexual abuse in Bermuda, views the move as a major plus in the ongoing bid to prevent the abuse of children.
“SCARS remains grateful to our Government as they should be commended for advancing this extremely important child safeguarding policy,” she said.
“We believe that every child deserves to be protected and nurtured.”
Bermuda Real asked whether or not there were more cases of child sex abuse happening and being reported because people are more aware, or; does it just seem like it’s more prevalent because of social media, news, etc?
The Response: “Child sexual abuse has been going on for decades.
“More and more secrets are being revealed because of awareness (from all media outlets including social media), and because of education.”
To date, 12,450 residents in Bermuda are SCARS Certified, with another 3,616 Recertified.
Earlier this month, the Minister of Social Development and Seniors, Tinée Furbert, told MPs that the main goal moving forward, “is to develop a national plan of action” to prevent child abuse in all forms.
“We must all be agents of change and be proactive in preventing our children from all forms of abuse,” said Ms Furbert.
“The future of our island is dependent on our children so let us work together to safeguard them now for their future destinies.”
Ultimately, the policy aims to deliver “a zero-tolerance approach to child abuse”.
The Minister said the “plan of action includes making recommendations on effective mechanisms that will cause the authorities in Bermuda such as Government Ministries, Departments, quangos and child-focused agencies to function in unison and develop the needed legislation, policies, procedures and activities to safeguard and promote the welfare of children in Bermuda”.
Overall, she said: “The implementation of the National Child Safeguarding Policy will place Bermuda in a better position when we have to report on compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.”
The new policy, entitled: ‘Working Together To Safeguard Children’, “is a guidance document for the Bermuda National Child Safeguarding Committee and sets direction for their mandate and work”.
The Policy is structured around three broad objectives:
- To strengthen the Legislative Framework
- To strengthen the Collaborative Framework; and,
- To strengthen the Community Protection Framework
“Each of these Frameworks comprises specific recommendations to amend legislation or for the Committee to implement and/or execute activities collaboratively to safeguard and promote the well-being of our children in Bermuda,” said the Minister.
“The implementation of the National Child Safeguarding Policy will place Bermuda in a better position when we have to report on compliance with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.”
The Child Safeguarding Policy will be placed on the Ministry’s website at www.gov.bm.
