PNM General Council:

In cases where allegations of child abuse are suspected the State should move to intervene, the PNM’s General Council said at a meeting yesterday.

The meeting was held at the PNM’s Constituency Office, Coffee Street, San Fernando.

Party vice chairman, John Donaldson said child abuse was not unique to Trinidad and Tobago or the Caribbean, noting that people used the Internet to get around those laws.

In an attempt to protect children from abuse, Donaldson said Manning told the members that Government intends to review the role of social workers in various communities in Trinidad and Tobago.

In expressing concern about the prevalance of child abuse in the country, Donaldson said members lamented the absence of male teachers.

Donaldson said members also addressed the question of corporal punishment and treating young people as adults in certain criminal offences. Asked whether they spoke about proclaiming the Children’s Authority Act, Donaldson said no, but added that Government would be addressing that issue.

He said Anthony Roberts, Minister of Social Services as well as other ministers were trying their best to come up with ways to deal with the problem of child abuse.

Donaldson made reference to Government’s appointment of retired judge, Monica Barnes, to head a committee to investigate the way the social services handled four-year-old Emily Anamanthodo’s case. She was raped and tortured and her step-father, Marlon King, has been charged with her murder.

Donaldson said, Prime Minister Patrick Manning in his address, also spoke about the number of political parties on the local horizon, some of which, he said, have began to merge.

In reference to local government elections, which are constitutionally due in July, Donaldson said, “ Manning told us that the bell will be rung.”