THE NATION would do well to steel itself to deal with the disturbing aspects of the report on the 58 children's homes and places of safety which was tabled in Parliament yesterday.
The Prime Minister had commissioned the report in December after the surfacing of allegations of sexual, physical and emotional abuse in these institutions in which in March 2003 there were 5,206 children as wards of the state.
Behaviours of concern cited by the investigators in their report ranged from children not learning and their concomitant incapability of fitting into the regular school system, to attempts at suicide and suicidal tendencies.
Then there are the cases of homeless juveniles, uncontrollable juveniles, and those who commit criminal offences. There have even been cases of children being sexually assaulted by their own caregivers.
The instances of abuse suffered by these children are exacerbated many times over when they are put at a disadvantage by their mental and physical disabilities.
'The Review of Children's Homes and Places of Safety', as the Ministry of Health's report is titled, is as disturbing for its findings as it is impressive for its recommendations.
In a country where year after year we have studied and reported on just about every aspect of life, we cannot afford for this report to go the way of so many others.
The will has to be found to ensure that the 47 recommendations are implemented swiftly. And the scarcity of resources ought not be used this time around, as an excuse for not doing what ought to be done. When the powers that be want to fund any project that is dear to their cause, always the money is found. This is a country which, not many years ago, spent $9 million to purchase a custom-built football, which, more likely than not, is now gathering dust in some warehouse, heaven knows where.
So, priority number one must be the examination, modification, if needs be, and acceptance of the recommendations.
Once they are cleared as being doable, the same authority that enlisted the panel to conduct the review, must see to the implementation of the recommendations with a sense of urgency. For this to happen, a clear timetable must be set for the achievement of the things that are to be done to bring about meaningful changes to the lives of these troubled and unfortunate children.
Implementation of the recommendations for the improvement of the welfare of these children will test the efficacy of the recently established Child Development Agency. The time for speeches is over.
THE OPINIONS ON THIS PAGE, EXCEPT FOR THE ABOVE, DO NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF THE GLEANER.
