TCI News
TCI: Educators and Education Officers now better equipped to protect vulnerable children
#Providenciales, July 27, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – The Ministry of Education, Youth, Culture, Library and Social Services with the support from the European Union is working to ensure Education Officers and school Principals are better equipped to identify and cope with children who may be exposed to or suffering from violence and abuse.
Ms. Heidy Williams is the Education Officer with responsibility for Early Childhood Education and she explained that a recent training session successfully demonstrated to participants their key roles and responsibilities when it comes to safeguarding children, “Child protection and safe-guarding refers to the protection and safe-guarding of all children against violence.
It ensures that systems are in place to prevent, identify and stop violence that are already happening. Violence against children can be in the form of poor nutrition, poor health care, lack of affection, unresponsive care, child maltreatment, neglect, corporal punishment, exposure to violence and abuse (physical, emotional, sexual).”
Hurting children can now be much better served due to the techniques and strategies learned during the training session. Ms. Williams said a component of the program called, Courageous Conversation, had a major impact on the educators.
“Holding Courageous Conversations is the process of having the confidence to be bold and direct in order to show awareness and bring about change to a situation, recognizing that the implications can be difficult but the outcomes are generally positive.”
Admittedly, when these situations arise, they can be disconcerting and downright uncomfortable.
Ms. Williams notes that “these components are extremely important to the Ministry because children are most vulnerable to violence and these adverse experiences early in life can impair the brain architecture. Early stress due to violence elevates the stress hormone cortisol and this can disrupt brain development altering academic performance and causing harmful mental and physical consequences that can last into adulthood.”
Ms. Williams further expressed that even one incident where a child is impacted by negative events or environments are viewed as too much.
“With the challenges of sporadic incidences of violence against children, the Ministry of Education recognizes the need to be proactive in guaranteeing the safety and well-being of children into adulthood,” said Ms. Williams who added that, “the training even helped Education Officers and Principals to understand how to begin Courageous Conversations. The method we are using is known as the ‘OARS Approach’. It is an acronym for O- open ended questions; A- Affirmation; R- Reflective listening and S for Summarizing. Emphasis was placed on how to interview, noting the importance of preparation, opening comments, body language, how to respond, listening and tone of voice.”
Public and private school principals and Education Officers were equipped with the skills of active listening without interrupting, how to interview, how to analyze a situation and the risk involved, how to stay neutral, methods of getting one’s attention, words to avoid when interviewing parents, helping them to find solutions to problems and methods of communicating to children in an age appropriate manner.
The training was facilitated by Barnardo’s, a British charity dedicated to protecting vulnerable children and organised for the Turks and Caicos from May 4-6, 2019 by the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office.
“Improving the Education System in the TCI…..Together we can do it”
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#improvingeducationinthetci
#TurksandCaicos, May 21, 2024 – Officers from the Serious Crime Unit (SCU) of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force have made a breakthrough following boat thefts in the TCI.
On May 19, 2024, FARIDSON JEAN BAPTISTE, a Haitian national, was charged with the following offences:
- Theft of TCI boat Marauder
- Theft of TCI boat Jupiter
- Theft of TCI boat Team Baja
- Handling Stolen Goods
- Assisting Illegal Entry into the TCI
Mr JEAN BAPTISTE was initially detained on April 5 th 2024, while attempting to enter the TCI on a high-powered boat that was reported stolen. At the time of the interception, thirty (30) irregular migrants were being transported.
Mr JEAN BAPTISTE remains in custody pending a court date. The arrest and subsequent charges against Mr Jean Baptiste follow a complex, multi-jurisdictional investigation by the SCU and the Haitian National Police.
These investigations resulted in the recovery of boats and other property stolen from the TCI, which were retrieved from several locations in Haiti.
The recovered property has an estimated value of over $1.2 million.
#TurksandCaicos, May 21, 2024 – The Traffic Enforcement Unit of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force conducted joint road operations alongside the TCI Border Force on May 13th and 16th, 2024, focusing on crime reduction, illegal migration, and road safety.
These efforts aimed to ensure compliance with Road Traffic regulations and yielded significant results. During these operations, THIRTY-EIGHT (38) individuals were detained for immigration violations, and SIXTY-SIX (66) were reported for traffic offences. For April and May 2024, overall joint operations have resulted in ONE HUNDRED and TWENTY (120) persons detained for immigration purposes, and ONE HUNDRED and NINETY-NINE (199) reported for traffic violations.
Acting Inspector Damian Mitchell emphasised the interconnectedness of road traffic compliance, crime, and illegal migration.
He stated, “These operations focus on addressing each critical area.”
Division B and Community Policing head Superintendent Dwight Gardiner noted a general increase in public compliance with traffic regulations during the first quarter of the year.
Superintendent Gardiner encouraged road users to adhere to all aspects of the law, stating, “Let us all strive to keep our roads safe for everyone and reduce crime in our communities. Adhere to the rules of the road. Thanks to our law enforcement partners and you, members of the public.”
Motorists are especially urged to comply with regulations regarding vehicle window tints. Violations carry a substantial penalty of $250 per window.
The RTCIPF and TCI Border Force thank the public for their cooperation and continued efforts to maintain safety and order on the roads.
Wilkie Arthur
Freelance Court Correspondent
#TurksandCaicos, May 21, 2024 – An undocumented Haitian male, aged 20, faces charges related to gang activity and firearms.
He was apprehended along with others in a small blue car in front of Sunny Foods Supermarket on South Dock/Five Cays Road on Tuesday, May 2nd, 2024. Providing the name JAMES SIMON to the police, he was accompanied by a 16/17-year-old (name withheld) who faces charges of unlawful entry.
The accused is charged with illegal possession of a Black Glock 44 (serial number AEBE402) containing 10 rounds of 22LR ammunition on South Dock/Five Cays Road, Providenciales.
Additionally, he is alleged to be one of three individuals involved in a morning robbery at 809 or Chances, Blue Hills, Providenciales. The robbery, captured on video, involved the gunpoint theft of a female’s white handbag containing $799.00.
He has been remanded until the next sufficiency hearing on July 7th, 2024. Appearing in court on Monday, May 13th, he was represented by Mr. Ashwood Forbes, with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions represented by Ms. Enjaleek Dickerson.
He was arraigned on the following charges:
- Gang membership
- Robbery
- Possession of a firearm for the benefit of a gang
- Possession of ammunition for the benefit of a gang
- Unlawful entry
- Possession of a firearm
- Possession of ammunition
Both individuals are Creole-speaking.
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