Webster-Roy: Necessary action will be taken in response to abuse at Couva children’s home

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Webster-Roy: Necessary action will be taken in response to abuse at Couva children’s home

Child and Gender Affairs Minister Ayanna Webster Roy is encouraging members of the public to help protect the nation’s children by reporting abuse cases.

She made the comment on Monday, in response to the reports of abuse at the Couva Children’s Home and Crisis Nursery.

Webster-Roy acknowledged that on May 13, 2024, she received an email with reports of abuse in the Couva Children’s Home and Crisis Nursery. After reviewing the information, she said she immediately gave the instruction to the Permanent Secretary, Gender and Child Affairs, to notify the TTPS and Superintendent Claire Guy-Alleyne, Head of the Special Victims Department.

The TTPS Child Protection Unit removed three residents from the Home. The minister said the matter was also sent to the Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago for their immediate attention.

Minister Webster Roy said she will take the necessary action in response to information received.

She added the Children’s Authority has been given the financial resources to implement their legal obligations.

She said authorities will continue to monitor the national child protection machinery, noting that certain gaps have been identified and working solutions have been developed for speedy implementation.

Minister Webster Roy noted the TTPS Child Protection Unit has agreed to conduct periodic visits to all the community residences, especially those with both boys and girls.

She urged people to report all forms of abuse, as soon as possible, to the CHILDREN’S AUTHORITY HOTLINE (996 or 800-2014), CHILDLINE (131 or 800-4321), Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (999), or the National Family Services Division at 623-2608 (ext. 6701-6711).