THE EDITOR, Sir:
I AM reading in your newspaper the story detailing the conditions of the state-run homes and my heart is saddened. Your report details the sad tale of children being exposed to the most degrading experiences that include "rape, carnal abuse, batterings, physical restraints and harsh punishment."
After completing my internship as a teacher in 1981, I started my first teaching job in one of these government-run homes (Windsor Girls' Home in St Ann's Bay). I also worked at Hillcrest Children's Home in Brown's Town and St. Augustine Place of Safety in Chapleton. There were stories back then about abuse, but not of the magnitude described in your news story.
This report should be a wake-up call for the country as it grapples with the kind of treatment being meted out to its future (if the idea is that children are our future). Heads should roll and meaningful changes should be instituted to ensure that when children are taken into the "care" of the state they do not end up being worse off .
Based on the report in your paper it can be argued that the UN Charter on the Rights of Children is being violated based on article 3 of the charter which states:
1. In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.
2. States Parties undertake to ensure the child such protection and care as is necessary for his or her well-being, taking into account the rights and duties of his or her parents, legal guardians, or other individuals legally responsible for him or her, and, to this end, shall take all appropriate legislative and administrative measures.
3. States Parties shall ensure that the institutions, services and facilities responsible for the care or protection of children shall conform with the standards established by competent authorities, particularly in the areas of safety, health, in the number and suitability of their staff, as well as competent supervision
The state should be held accountable for subjecting these children to such shameful violent acts.
I am, etc.,
SYLVESTER "JIM"
BOWIE
bowies@csus.edu
Sacaramento ,CA
Via Go-Jamaica
