“Breaking the Silence: Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect” Information Sessions
PHILIPSBURG – An information session is being organized for the general public on Wednesday, August 26th, 2015 at the Belvedere Community Center in Belvedere from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The information session is entitled, “Breaking the Silence: Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect” and is one of four sessions that will take place in various districts.
“Neglect and abuse against children happen all over the world and St. Maarten is no exception. Child safety and protection is a collective community responsibility. The information session is being presented to the general public to provide valuable information on child abuse, neglect and reporting. By attending the information session, the general public will learn about child abuse and neglect, risk factors and indicators of child abuse, and the impact of child abuse. Additional topics include laws on child abuse and neglect, responding to suspicion or disclosure of child abuse, common concerns when deciding to report child abuse, and the central reporting agency for child abuse for St. Maarten,” the organizers said.
These sessions are being organized by the National Protocol for the Reporting of Child Abuse Workgroup, which includes members from the Court of Guardianship of the Ministry of Justice, Collective Prevention Services of the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor, the Student Support Services Division and the Youth Affairs Department of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Affairs.
Information sessions will also be held on:
· September 2nd, 2015 at The University of St. Martin in Philipsburg from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
· September 9th, 2015 at the Rupert I Maynard Youth Community Center in St. Peters from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
· September 16th, 2015 at the Cole Bay Methodist Church John Hall from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
The general public is encouraged to be on time. The public is also encouraged to contact the Student Support Services Division at 543-1235 and/or the Department of Youth Affairs at 542-3718 for more information.