DR KHADIJAH WILLIAMS
AS IT RELATES to allegations about abuse at children's homes in TT, are we focusing on the root causes of the problems? How can we move forward on the agenda of safeguarding children and young people in state care? As the old saying goes, we may need to look back in order to move forward (Sankofa).
The genesis of our four major children's homes being rooted in systems of colonialism and oppression and the failure of the State to act decisively over the years to work towards modernising child care practices is crippling. The State needs to take child and youth care work more seriously so that the predators do not gain access to vulnerable children and, if they do, they are dealt with.
Further investment in child welfare and protection certainly requires attention. The failure to adequately do so over the last century has contributed to the numerous allegations of abuse and investigations with little or no action.
Beginning around 1871, the church did what it could to fill some gaps in the name of philanthropy but now it is time for the State to do more beyond providing standards and monitoring services - particularly as the signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
The establishment of the Children's Authority has been a progressive step but much more needs to be done beyond its current role. This is supported by the recent appointment of Minister Webster-Roy's independent team, which will investigate allegations of abuse at children's homes.
Another important consideration is our history of volunteerism and reliance on a civil service management and administration system to work with vulnerable children and young people. Recognising that working with traumatised children requires special competencies and a responsive infrastructure is vital.
Traditional views of children and childhood which position them as weak and dependent are oppressive and dangerous. This is often manifested in the ways that children are treated, with vulnerable children being more adversely affected. In these instances, there is the need for more robust safeguarding measures to avoid putting children at risk of harm. Thus highlighting the need for not only trained staff but better systems of accountability and monitoring of those who come into contact with a vulnerable child or young person, including qualified professionals.
Investigations into child abuse which bear little outcomes will continue if we do not address the systemic and structural oppressions which have infiltrated our child care and protection system. We have not adequately interpreted and appreciated a rights-based approach to child welfare, even at the level of governance.
Adopting this perspective would promote a trauma-informed approach to safeguarding our children. We would understand why supporting professional social work and regulating practice is important and why psychometric testing and ongoing evaluation of every per
