Bahamas News
BAHAMAS: Report child abuse says Social Services Minister
#Bahamas, May 01, 2018 – Nassau – As the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development recognizes Child Protection Month, the Hon. Lanisha Rolle, Minister, sounded an appeal to the public to report incidents of child abuse.
“We should all be self-proclaimed advocates. We have all stood in the place that our children now stand and we were likewise dependent. There is no excuse to turn a blind eye to what is, or appears to be abuse of a child. One child abused is one child too many. If we see it, we ought to say it and if we hear it we have a duty to tell it,” said Minister Rolle.
She addressed a church service at Commonwealth Baptist Church, Elizabeth Estates, in observance of Child Protection Month, Thursday, April 26. The service was organized by the Ministry in conjunction with the National Child Protection Council and the Suspected Child Abuse Neglect Unit. The theme for the month is ‘We Care. We Share – Prevent Child Abuse’. It was attended by Cora Bain-Colebrooke, acting permanent secretary; acting director, Lillian Quant-Forbes, senior government officials, representatives of the Scans Unit, Child Protection Council and school students.
Minister Rolle said children are susceptible to emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse through assault, molestation, incest and rape, and all too commonly suffer from neglect both physically and emotionally.
She affirmed the Ministry’s commitment to doing all within its power to ensure the government allocates the resources necessary to protect the rights of every child and to preventing, detecting, eliminating and eradicating “all” forms of abuse against children.
“Abuse in any form is unacceptable. Child mistreatment, sexual abuse of children with disabilities, incest, child pornography, child labour, child prostitution, child neglect and abandonment are all offences recognized under the law, and I am committed to strengthening our Investigations arm of Child Protection Services to identify and initiate the prosecution of such offenders to the fullest extent of the law.”
She said in addition to community programs sponsored by Social Services, the Urban Development programs run by the Government and partnering stakeholders, church programs and other reputable organizations create the environment necessary for the protection and sustainable 
development of children and the country’ social fabric.
Minister Rolle reported that child neglect is the most common form of abuse and accounts for 40 per cent of reported abuse cases in The Bahamas.
“Under section 31 of the Child Protection Act (CPA) parents and guardians have a duty to maintain their children.
“It is our duty as parents, advocates, community partners, government and a society to ensure the future of our children is safe and secure through the protection of our children and their rights – the right to life, the right to protection of property, protection from forced labour and unlawful detention, protection from arbitrary arrest, from violence and unlawful abuse and protection from unlawful arrest are fundamental rights and freedoms for the individual under the constitution.
“Our children deserve equal protection under the law. We care, we share. We must enforce the law to prevent and respond to child abuse.”
Minister Rolle admonished parents and guardians not to allow children on the Family Islands, in the urban and suburban communities to “suffer” in silence. She said according to section 63 of the CPA every individual has a duty to report child suffering.
“An adult engaging in relationships with a child under 18, a minor under the law and whose mind and thought processes are not fully mature, is engaging in child abuse. Such acts of selfish adults must be reported as these instances destroy the lives of girls and boys. Adults should date adults.
“Children are depending on us to ensure they are educated. Under section 2007 of the CPA, every child has a right to education. A parent or guardian cannot decide without good reason to keep their child away from school and deny the child an opportunity to learn.
“Parents and guardians do not have the right to use children to pay their bills or beg alms on their behalf. Where we find this occurring the Department of Social Services, under section 30 of the CPA, has a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children and to mediate in any situation where the rights of a child are infringed. According to section 80 of the CPA, the state has a duty to investigate and initiate prosecution of those who violate the rights of the child,” said Minister Rolle.
In his sermon, Bishop Arnold Josey, Pastor of Commonwealth Baptist Church and Chairman of the National Child Protection Council, said the 
nation has a responsibility to ensure that everyone, inclusive of children, live and thrive in a safe, stable, nurturing environment for all.
“The reality is, in the midst of it all we have mounting adverse childhood experiences that we must tackle,” he said.
“The mental and physical struggles of our children are multiple and multi-faceted. We need to get back to being a caring and concerned people.”
The church service is one of the activities of Child Protection Month. Other activities included a Fun Day for children and a Poetry Competition, which was won by Michaella Lockhart.
By Kathryn Campbell
PHOTO CAPTIONS
1686
The Hon. Lanisha Rolle, Minister of Social Services and Urban Development greets Bishop Arnold Josey, Chairman of the National Child Protection Council.
1703
From left to right: Lillian Quant Forbes, acting director; the Hon. Lanisha Rolle, Minister of Social Services and Urban Development; Cora Bain Colebrooke, acting permanent secretary and Charlamae Fernander, assistant director.
1731
The Hon. Lanisha Rolle addresses the Child Protection Month Church Service.
1715
The String City Violinists perform a musical selection.
NASSAU, Bahamas — More Bahamians are accessing HIV and sexually transmitted infection-related healthcare through National Health Insurance, a trend the NHI Authority says should be viewed positively.
NHIA stressed in an August 6 statement that its 2025 figures measure healthcare utilisation, not newly diagnosed infections. They include beneficiaries screened, treated, monitored or receiving follow-up care, including people diagnosed previously.
“Increased utilisation of these services should be viewed as a positive development,” NHIA said.
The Authority pointed to “greater enrolment and use of NHI, improved access to screening and testing, continued treatment and monitoring of existing conditions, and increased willingness to seek medical care.”
The development comes amid a mixed three-year HIV picture. New diagnoses rose from 130 in 2023 to 156 in 2024, before declining to 142 in 2025.
NHIA said increased utilisation demonstrates that more beneficiaries are accessing needed healthcare and actively managing their health, reinforcing the importance of screening, early diagnosis and continued treatment.
NASSAU, Bahamas — Caribbean Wines & Spirits (CWS), The Bahamas’ premier wines and spirits distributor is proud to announce the launch of Monument Beverage Co., its newest 100% locally produced ready-to-drink alcoholic cocktail.
Monument, “Made to Celebrate”, perfectly encapsulates everything the brand represents. Created and distributed by CWS, Monument is
inspired by culture, crafted with excellence and bursting with innovation.
This unique beverage celebrates island living with three bold flavors, Ginger Lime, Peach Passion and Melon Fizz. All of which can be enjoyed at an ABV of five-point-two percent.
The brand’s creativity really shines through each can’s packaging. Bold colored stripes, cherished native flora and fauna and of course, national monuments can all be found on each can.
The beverage’s two year plus development is a testament to CWS’ dedication to quality and innovation. Countless hours of tastings, reformulations, focus groups and package design reviews all paid off with the creation of Monument.
Karla Wells-Lisgaris, Chief Commercial Officer of Caribbean Wines & Spirits and Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, shared what this authentically Bahamian made product launch means for the company.
“When we were conceptualizing Monument, we wanted to create a product that not only tasted like The Bahamas but would be an ode to the
nation as well. With those two thoughts in mind, I, along with a team of experts, created three incredible flavors we believe really connect with and celebrate the essence of island living,” she said.
“Additionally, being that Monument is the first product to be 100% manufactured by Caribbean Wines & Spirits, we really wanted to ensure that both the flavors and packaging honored our rich heritage. On each of the cans, you can find various monuments such as the Nassau Public Library in New Providence, the Garden of the Grove in Grand Bahama and the Hatchet Bay Silos in Eleuthera; all of which pay homage to our diverse Bahamian heritage.” Wells-Lisgaris concluded.”
The historic monuments found throughout our islands are more than places we pass every day; they are reminders of who we are, where we’ve come from and the stories that connect us as Bahamians.
Monument is perfectly formulated with quality ingredients, and each can celebrates a collection of these cultural icons from across The Bahamas.
Whether chilling solo beachside, gathered around a family table or backyard a grill with friends, make Monument your sip of choice. Monument is made to celebrate, visit www.cwsbahamas.com today for more details.
NASSAU, Bahamas —– Caribbean Bottling Company (CBC), local producers of Coca-Cola and Dasani products, is proud to crown Lady
Kayla of Exuma as this year’s annual Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup winner.
CBC created the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup to further the advancement of sailing and Bahamian culture through monetary and social support. The competition judges the skipper’s performance across three regattas, The Best of the Best, the National Family Island and Long Island Regattas.
The winning sloop led by Kianno Hutchinson and Joss Knowles showcased their skillmanship in the E-Class category across each round of competition. In addition to winning the trophy, the skippers were awarded a $5,000 donation, an $8,000 stipend to the junior sailing club of their island and a limited-edition Lady Kayla Bahamas Goombay Punch commemorative can, which will be released soon.
Jonathan Thronebury, Marketing Director of CBC shared the significance behind The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup.
“The Bahamas Goombay Punch is more than a beloved local brand; it’s a vibrant part of our cultural fabric. Just like sailing, our national sport, it carries a rich legacy that spans generations. Recognizing this shared history, we’re proud to support initiatives that celebrate and advance Bahamian culture,” he said.
Hutchinson and Knowles shared what this win meant for them.
“I felt super proud when I realized we won. I am grateful and thankful to God, for good coaches and Joss. It was really an honor winning the
Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup,” Hutchinson expressed.
“I am very honored to have been able to compete in the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup, I think it is a great concept and idea for a competition and really adds a new motive throughout the regattas. The whole championship was super competitive, and every single race was a fight. Alvington McKenzie was extremely competitive and had us until the Long Island regatta, which made it a very fun and tough competition. Very excited to have been the winner of a super close championship,” Knowles revealed.
Lady Kayla’s owner, Dallas Knowles, shared the team’s winning strategy.
“In sailing consistency is key and our guys in Lady Kayla are some of the best in the business at staying near the top. In the end, that was enough to secure their first Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup win. We are so proud of Joss and Kianno for what they have done in Lady Kayla. Thank you to Caribbean Bottling Company for such an amazing and forward-thinking initiative,” Knowles shared.
The Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup is proud to continue its impact on sailing and community building through clean and fair competition.
For more updates on the Bahamas Goombay Punch Cup and Caribbean Bottling Company visit the website www.cbcbahamas.com today.
