Padarath wants CPU beefed-up

In a press release issued yesterday, Padarath said the State has a duty of care to protect all the citizens of Trinidad and Tobago especially the children. His call for additional staff follows reports of a teenaged girl giving birth at the San Fernando General Hospital.

Padarath noted the CPU has been repeatedly crying out for help as they struggle with the existing workload adding that the State must become serious about protecting the nation’s children.

He pointed out that there has been a rise in reported cases of child abuse, specifically sexual abuse, in the last few years. He added that parents needed to become brave in tackling the issue and the society needed to have dialogue on whether parents should be held accountable for concealing abuse against their children.

Padarath said it was time for open dialogue on sharing the identities of sex offenders. He lamented that for too long the society has been reactionary and the time had come to put measures in place to prevent instances of abuse whether it be sexual, physical or emotional. He said Government through Dillon needed to act swiftly to prioritise the protection of the nation’s children. Padarath said the Government should begin dialogue with the Police Service and the Children’s Authority as soon as possible on these matters adding that Dillon’s silence was “unacceptable”.