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'Miss, I Have Been Raped By ...' - Ten-Year-Old Shocks Children's Advocate With Public Allegation
Published: Sunday | November 17, 20131 Comment
Barbara Gayle, Justice Coordinator
Children's Advocate Diahann Gordon-Harrison was shocked when, during an appeal for adults to be vigilant about child abuse, a 10-year-old girl stood up and said "Miss, I have been raped by a man called ..."
Gordon-Harrison who was addressing a large gathering at a special children's programme at the Riverton Meadows Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Corporate Area, immediately called for the girl's case to be investigated.
The Children's Advocate noted that it was not too late for the case to be prosecuted, and stressed that the child had to get counselling.
The girl's disclosure drew sympathetic comments from the large gathering.
Found help
Some persons remarked that they were happy that the girl, who was one of the children invited to the programme by the children's ministry department of the church, had found an avenue to get help.
During her address, Gordon-Harrison gave a comprehensive report of the large number of cases of child abuse, and called for adults to be vigilant in protecting the children who are being exposed to all kind of abuses.
She disclosed that last year her office investigated a case where a three-year-old child was beaten until both hands were broken because she was hungry and ate a dumpling not given to her.
"We are seeing very severe things happening to our children," she emphasised.
Gordon-Harrison outlined to the children several safety tips to protect them from abuse. She counselled the children that if anyone touched them in any inappropriate way, or they felt uncomfortable with the way someone touched them, they should tell their parents, guardians or a responsible adult.
She stressed that this was no longer the age where children must be seen and not heard, or must be polite to all adults, because children cannot be polite to adults who were abusing them.
Responsibility
The Children's Advocate also warned the adults that they have a responsibility to protect children and to report any form of abuse.
She reminded the adults that legislation is in place to punish those who refuse to report cases of child abuse.
"The Church has a part to play because many times children will come to you, will cry out to you because something is not right, and they want you to help them," declared Gordon-Harrison.
"People in the community must stand up and say this is wrong and I am going to do something about it, once they notice any form of abuse or notice something obviously wrong with a child."
Gordon-Harrison noted that it was not only strangers who were abusing children.
She pointed out that in the majority of cases, it is the people who are very close to these children who are abusing them.
In his vote of thanks, Pastor Holland Thompson commended the Children's Advocate for her very informative address.
Published: Sunday | November 17, 20131 Comment
Barbara Gayle, Justice Coordinator
Children's Advocate Diahann Gordon-Harrison was shocked when, during an appeal for adults to be vigilant about child abuse, a 10-year-old girl stood up and said "Miss, I have been raped by a man called ..."
Gordon-Harrison who was addressing a large gathering at a special children's programme at the Riverton Meadows Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Corporate Area, immediately called for the girl's case to be investigated.
The Children's Advocate noted that it was not too late for the case to be prosecuted, and stressed that the child had to get counselling.
The girl's disclosure drew sympathetic comments from the large gathering.
Found help
Some persons remarked that they were happy that the girl, who was one of the children invited to the programme by the children's ministry department of the church, had found an avenue to get help.
During her address, Gordon-Harrison gave a comprehensive report of the large number of cases of child abuse, and called for adults to be vigilant in protecting the children who are being exposed to all kind of abuses.
She disclosed that last year her office investigated a case where a three-year-old child was beaten until both hands were broken because she was hungry and ate a dumpling not given to her.
"We are seeing very severe things happening to our children," she emphasised.
Gordon-Harrison outlined to the children several safety tips to protect them from abuse. She counselled the children that if anyone touched them in any inappropriate way, or they felt uncomfortable with the way someone touched them, they should tell their parents, guardians or a responsible adult.
She stressed that this was no longer the age where children must be seen and not heard, or must be polite to all adults, because children cannot be polite to adults who were abusing them.
Responsibility
The Children's Advocate also warned the adults that they have a responsibility to protect children and to report any form of abuse.
She reminded the adults that legislation is in place to punish those who refuse to report cases of child abuse.
"The Church has a part to play because many times children will come to you, will cry out to you because something is not right, and they want you to help them," declared Gordon-Harrison.
"People in the community must stand up and say this is wrong and I am going to do something about it, once they notice any form of abuse or notice something obviously wrong with a child."
Gordon-Harrison noted that it was not only strangers who were abusing children.
She pointed out that in the majority of cases, it is the people who are very close to these children who are abusing them.
In his vote of thanks, Pastor Holland Thompson commended the Children's Advocate for her very informative address.
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