I cry for murdered children, Tough questions
from youngsters cause Simpson Miller to open up
Then Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller
came face to face with some bright 10- and 11-year-olds, who peppered her with
tough questions last Thursday evening at the Old Harbour New Testament Church
of God in St Catherine.
The forum, organised by the Office
of the Prime Minister in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Culture,
was aimed at addressing issues of abuse and violence against children in Jamaica.
Students from schools across the
region - Clarendon, St Catherine and Kingston - came out en masse with
their teachers and they were not short on questions.
Their questions ranged from child
abuse, the impact of crime on the country to Grade Six Achievement Test worries
and school needs.
With an avalanche of questions,
Youth Minister Lisa Hanna had to record some and promised to give feedback to
the various schools.
The question that had everyone's
attention, though, came from a 10-year-old who wanted the prime minister to
describe her feelings on hearing of the brutal rape and murder of children.
Acknowledging the question to be an
"important and sad one", Simpson Miller said the news did not leave
her unmoved.
Brushing aside the assumption that
she "glosses over" news, she let the roomful of people into her
innermost emotions.
"There are times you lock
yourself in the bathroom and cry because you know that child could become a
great Jamaican. It hurts, while people think leaders gloss over the news, but
Lisa (Hanna), Sandrea (Falconer) and myself, we all would meet ... three of us
would embrace and cry," said Simpson Miller.
The prime minister reiterated her
call for stiffer penalties for child molesters.
"When a child is molested, the
molester should be dragged off to prison and get the full strength of the law.
Nothing should get in a child's way to prevent them from living.
"It is terrible and evil when
adults believe they have a right to rape. They should be locked away forever.
The punishment must be so stiff that one would never try it again," said
Simpson Miller.
Contributor:
Sherry-Ann Nelson
4th Year History and Social
Studies Student
Bethlehem Moravian College
It will help them to know the signs of child abuse and this will push them to find help from the relevant authorities.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Rushelle children are to identify and know when they are been abuse. They should also be aware of the different agency that can protect them as they too have rights.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Rushelle and Shana-Kay children must can identify signs of abuse. I think sometimes some parents do not educate their children about child abuse. I strongly believe learning starts at home so they should be aware of what child abuse is and how to speak up and out against it if they are being abuse by whether family members, friends or stranger. I think they should also know the relevant authorities that deal with child abuse.
ReplyDeleteChildren are citizens themselves. They can be educated on the causes, effects and examples of child abuse. For instance, the unruly student in our class could be a victim of child abuse but merely just educating and not doing our part as the teacher will not curb the issue. We need to offering amiable solutions to child abuse in school and outside. Because educators from time to time abuse students physically, mentally even verbally.
ReplyDelete