No confidence in Children’s Authority

The excuse given was that it was not reported as a case of sexual abuse. The authority recognises that it is required to respond to all reports of abuse but was only motivated to act in this instance when the matter became public.

This is an agency which our upstanding AG is prepared to defend in the face of the foregoing failure.

One cannot help but wonder if the child had been beaten to a frazzle, had broken bones and disfigurement to her face, whether that would have been serious enough to warrant their intervention. Or is it only when allegations of a sexual nature are made that action is taken.

It calls to mind the question raised by a person claiming to be a child rights advocate, who questioned the court action taken by the parents of a schoolchild, whose arm had been broken, against the police for not investigating their report.

Her question was whether the police were expected to arrest the alleged perpetrator.

The question of arrest is a matter for the police; no one has the right to tell the police to arrest anyone, not even the Minister of National Security.

All that can be expected of the police is that they should investigate complaints made by members of the public.

It is passing strange that a so-called child rights advocate would take issue with parents wanting to protect the rights of their child.

That person must have the same unfailing confidence in the Children’s Authority as the Attorney General.

KARAN MAHABIRSINGH Carapichaima