Some of the participants of the capacity building workshop for child protection professionals. Photo: VINO

Dr Clarissa Benjamin-Smith, Training Facilitator, stated that her purpose is to serve people, especially children who are very important to her. Photo: VINO

Participants during the first of four sessions of the capacity building training for child protection professionals. Photo: VINO

Ms Petrona N. Davies, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Health and Social Development, commented that collaboration on the issue of child protection is very important in protecting the future of the Territory. Photo: VINO

Mrs Annie Malone-Frett, Chief Social Development Officer in the Social Development Department said that it is the duty of the professionals to work together as one unit along with the community. Photo: VINO

In order to ensure the Virgin Islands play their part in the fight against child abuse, the Ministry of Education and Culture, in collaboration with the Social Development Department, is hosting a capacity building training session for child protection professionals to help build and improve their skills in fighting against child abuse in the Virgin Islands.

The opening ceremony was held on Monday July 10, 2017 at the Students Services Conference Room located on the third floor of the Ward Building in Road Town.

Individuals from the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health and Social Development, Royal Virgin Islands Police Force (RVIPF) and BVI Health Services Authority (BVIHSA) are taking part in the first of a four day training session with Dr Clarissa Benjamin-Smith, Training Facilitator.

Everyone’s responsibility

The ceremony kicked off with Mrs Annie Malone-Frett, Chief Social Development Officer in the Social Development Department stating that it is the duty of the professionals to work together as one unit along with the community.

“Does that responsibility lie solely with us, as we are reporters, or is it a much broader responsibility beyond us to ensure that our territory’s children are safe? That responsibility, in my opinion, lies also with every living, breathing member of each community and the wider society.”

Mrs Malone-Frett explained that the professionals have to be the voices for the children being abused.

“Colleagues, we owe it to ourselves and our children, to get it right. Embrace the knowledge. Teach each other and do it…to ensure that the territory’s children are protected from all form of violence and exploitation,” remarked the Chief Social Development Officer.

Statistics from the Social Development Department showed that a total of 32 reported cases of child abuse in the VI for the year 2015. A total of 27 cases of child abuse was reported last year and more than five cases have been reported to the Social Development this year already.

Protecting future of Territory

In agreement with her colleague, Ms Petrona N. Davies, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health and Social Development, commented that collaboration on the issue of child protection is very important in protecting the future of the Territory:

“This is an investment in the further development of professionals who work on the front lines to protect our children from harm. So this intervention this week, is built on the good work that is already being done in the Virgin Islands. No one person can do this alone. Effective child protection truly involves a multisector approach.”

Ashely Adams, Deputy Director of Social Development in Turks and Caicos, took part in the training session.

According to Ms Adams, she will take all the knowledge that she gained during the training sessions and apply them to her area of expertise to better the future of her country.

‘I work to serve children’

Dr Clarissa Benjamin-Smith, Training Facilitator is no stranger to the Virgin Islands. She holds a Masters and Doctorate degree in Clinical Psychology and has worked in her field of expertise for 20 plus years. In 2016, she worked with the Virgin Islands Social Workers as a training facilitator.

According to the training facilitator, the sessions are geared towards strengthening the participant’s knowledge and skills, which will assist them in applying what they learn to their various departments.

During the first training session, the participants expressed similar expectations.