The Child Abuse Prevention Unit has organized a week of activities that coincides with the Universal Children’s Day on November 20 and encourages the public to participate in the week’s activities.
The Unit’s acting coordinator, Nichole Toussaint John-Baptiste, said activities will begin on the 17th of November with a candlelight vigil in Roseau in support of victims of abuse.
“We are still working on the venue but it will be in Roseau from 6pm to about 8pm. There will have different presentations from different groups giving support to all the victims and all the survivors of child abuse,” Toussaint John-Baptiste stated.
On Monday the 18th of November, the division will hold a children’s forum where various schools will be doing presentations on different topics including rights and responsibilities of children, self-esteem and self-harm and social media and its impact on the youth, she said.
She further added that, on Tuesday the 19th there will be a consultation with practitioners of child protection involving all stakeholders and sectors such as the health sector, the police, the prison, Ministry of Education and the Social Welfare Division.
“They will be trying to do a collaboration to mend bridges and to see how Dominicans can move forward in making child protection more accessible.” Toussaint John-Baptiste explained.
On Universal Children’s Day, November 20, a mural will be unveiled at the Massacre Primary School where students will be given the opportunity to express themselves and to voice their opinions on child abuse through acting.
On the 21st of November, the Division will also hold a forum with school principals to discuss issues of children protection and on the 22nd , visits will be paid to the communities of Grandbay, St.Joseph and Grand Fond to give out information on laws regarding children’s protection.
The goal of Universal Children’s Day is to improve child welfare worldwide, promote and celebrate children’s rights and promote togetherness and awareness amongst all children.
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