Child Abuse Public Awareness Campaign – ‘Stop Hiding Child Abuse’

The issue of child abuse including physical, emotional, sexual abuse, child neglect and abandonment thrive in darkness and in silence. 

Growing up with abuse, affects a child’s development and we have seen horrifying results of child abuse in our country.  Yet, children, at every social level, still face various forms of abuse and this is taking place across the island, in homes, schools, institutions and in communities.   

The message to stop hiding child abuse cannot therefore remain silent.  It must be brought into the light.

Within the last two years, we heard of the deaths of at least three children caused by child abuse and of children being taken away from their home of horror as a result of abuse. We also read about the child sexual abuse of several young girls, some still in primary school and under the age of 16.

Somehow, we are missing out on opportunities to stop child abuse and it continues to destroy young lives as it remains quiet.

Barbados Children Directory is launching an island wide campaign based on the belief that every child deserves to grow and develop in an environment that protects them from any form of abuse. 

By raising the volume of the conversation on child abuse, we can improve our society’s response to child abuse, get help for abused children and bring our island closer to life without child abuse.

Our campaign intends to educate and unite us, with simple messages that together, we can end child abuse when we refuse to hide it.

Please join us in the fight for every childhood.