Prevention with Purpose, Turks & Caicos Marks Child Abuse Prevention Month

#TurksandCaicos, April 3, 2023 – The Department of Social Development & Welfare, under the Ministry of Home Affairs, Transportation and Communication observes the month of April as Child Abuse Prevention. The Department will be embarking on several initiatives throughout the month in its guest to promote Zero Tolerance of Child Abuse in the Turks and Caicos Islands.  The theme for this year is “Thriving Children and Families: Prevention with Purpose.” The Department is calling on all individuals and organizations to play a role in making the TCI a better place by safeguarding our children from all forms of abuse.

Honorable Otis Morris, Minister with responsibility for Social Development & Welfare said, “The month of April is a time to celebrate the important role that communities play in protecting children and strengthening families. The Department will be extending the observance throughout the year and we are calling for unity which is essential in building communities and hope. Prevention is always better than intervention or cure.”

The TCI is known for its natural beauty and hospitable locals and has been rated as a safe haven for visitors. Likewise, efforts are being made to ensure that this is the reality for children through programmes and partnerships to stymie the issue of child abuse, spearheaded by the Ministry.The Department of Social Development is playing its part by providing ongoing parenting training to ensure parents have the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to care for their children. Additionally, programmes are in place to help promote the social and emotional well-being of children and youth as well as prevent child maltreatment within families and communities.

Everyone’s participation in the fight against child abuse is critical. Focusing on ways to connect with families is the best thing our community can do to strengthen families and prevent child abuse and neglect. Research shows that when parents possess protective factors, the risk for neglect and abuse diminish and optimal outcomes for children, youth, and families are promoted. Major protective factors include knowledge of parenting, knowledge of child development, parental resilience, social connections, and concrete supports. Through this knowledge, families are able to navigate during difficult times to shield them from life’s stresses.

The month of April is also known worldwide as Autism Awareness Month. Awareness is only the minimum. People know that persons with autism exist in the TCI, but persons with autism are a long way from being appreciated as the unique human beings they are. Children with autism are susceptible to abuse as well because most are either verbal or nonverbal and people can take advantage of them because of this. We as a society must protect this vulnerable population and ensure that the relevant policies, laws and intervention is in place to support persons with autism into becoming independent upstanding individuals in this world. The Turks and Caicos Island has made small strides to provide intervention to children with Autism but we still have a long way to go in terms of having consistent Speech and Occupational therapy and Applied Behavior Analysist (ABA) offered in the homes and school by specialized professionals in the field in country.

The Department will be hosting the following activities:

(1) Child Abuse Prevention Opening Church Service- April 2, 2023 at Jericho Baptist Church- Providenciales, Revival Faith Center The Potters House Church- Grand Turk, Church of God of Prophesy- North Caicos, Wesley Memorial Methodist Church- South Caicos

(2) Community Drive Thru’ – Providenciales

(3) March Against Child Abuse and Balloon Release – April 21 & 28, 2023

(4) Lunch and Learn session with Teachers on South Caicos – Rap session with teachers as they are educated about mandatory reporting, types of abuse, how to fill out the MASH form.

Mark your calendar!

✓ Poster Competition in schools – Child Abuse 

✓ Presentations at Schools- Weekly

✓ Presentations at Health Centers

✓ Pinwheel garden display (Public to posted on Facebook, Instagram and Tik Tok)

The Department of Social Development is calling on all individuals and organizations to play their part in this national and timely initiative. Child abuse prevention should be on the agenda for everyone.

If you suspect that a child is being abused or neglected, it is critical to get the child help. A person can report suspicion to the nearest Police Station or to the Department of Social Development. The following is a list of telephone contacts for Social Workers throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands.