Child abuse victims need more support and justice

(CNS): Officials from the HSA have warned that Cayman must offer more support to young victims of sexual abuse and deal appropriately with offenders as more cases come to light. “Over the last few years I have seen victims of sexual abuse ranging from as young as 4 years through to 17 year olds who have experienced both contact and noncontact forms of abuse primarily alleged against individuals familiar to them,” said Sophia Chandler, the child psychologist at the Health Services Authority. “Unfortunately, for a myriad of reasons, we have not seen a corresponding assignment of culpability.

“While on the surface it might be tempting to say there is an increase in incidence, what might in fact be happening is that the taboo or discomfort with making initial reports is decreasing and more cases are reaching the attention of the authorities,” she added.

Chandler said authorities must be ready to act to provide support for victims as well as the appropriate responses to the offenders.

The HSA also needs more resources to tackle the problem and Hedge Funds Care (HFC) Cayman said it is doing what it can to support the resources needed to address the issue.

The charity said it is currently funding a number of programmes providing education, support, and treatment for Caymanian residents regarding child abuse and neglect. Over the last 8 years HFC Cayman distributed over CI $1.3 million in 40 grants to Caymanian organizations that are preventing and treating child abuse.

“In order to ensure that Caymanian children receive the protection they deserve, HFC Cayman has partnered with a number of both governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations," the charity stated.

The Ministry of Education, Training, and Employment provides child sexual abuse prevention training in Caymanian public, and now private, schools.

The Department of Counselling Services is preventing abuse from occurring in the first place by providing services to adolescent parents and fathers. The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service is training its police officers to properly investigate abuse cases while the Health Services Authority is providing therapy and treatment to children who have been abused.

The Cayman Islands Crisis Center provides a 24-hour toll free crisis line and an emergency shelter for abused women and their children. Through such programs, HFC Cayman and its grantee partners are committed to preventing child abuse and protecting all of the Island’s children and families.

If you would like to get involved with Hedge Funds Care Cayman, please contact David Wolfenson at DWolfenson@HedgeFundsCare.org.