Dear Editor,

A society can be measured by the way it treats its most vulnerable. The three groups that are most vulnerable in any society are: the elderly and infirm, the young and the mentally ill.

For our purpose, vulnerable is the susceptibility of certain groups to physical, emotional, and/or sexual injury. Having established who are considered vulnerable within our society, there can be no contest that these individuals should be highly cared for and protected based on their levels of vulnerability.

However, for the short period of time that I have been exposed to the school system, it has shown that there is little regard to children sometimes. Countless cases of verbal abuse and sexual abuse are reported on a regular basis, and I imagine much goes unreported.

Children are being denied freedom of expression and this may hinder the child’s positive growth and development. It therefore begs the question, what are the rights of a child?

There are so many organisations that claim they are for the best interest of the child, and when we go to the media the things we hear happening to our children are more than outrageous. Is it that we have totally neglected those that will become the future of our society? What really is the best interest of the child?

The Child Care and Protection Act is up for review pretty soon. One will anticipate that the reviews will include more penalties for those who are found guilty of contravention of the rights of the child.

For too long we have sat down and quietly allowed our children to become victims of sexual, physical and verbal abuse. We must report these cases, if known, to the necessary authorities for their quick and strong action.

The reports of the various crimes against our children have been alarming, and we can tell by the frequency of reports in the media.

A search reveals signicantly high numbers of cases of crimes against children that make it into the court system.

What kind of society are we living in? How is it that so many of our children are impacted negatively by other members of the society? It is time to hold people accountable for these actions. Enough of the “pretty talk”; it is time to start doing real work in the interest of our children.

Jason Madden

SRHR Youth Advocate