Dear Editor,

We are still in Child Month, and this year’s theme is ‘Act Now! Stand Against Child Abuse and Exploitation’.

Undoubtedly, it is a timely theme, which calls us to collectively reflect on how we have been treating our children. Do we exercise tender care, empathy, and love towards them, or do we abuse them and treat them as insignificant beings?

We are fully cognisant of the atrocities meted out to our young, fragile, and innocent little ones by the hoodlums in our society. Many families are grieving the death or disappearance of their children. In principle, no act of violence should be carried out against children, but it cuts more deeply when children — some of society’s most vulnerable — are victims of gruesome acts of crime, violence, and paedophilia in the month of May — a period dedicated to celebrating and protecting them.

The country was plunged into utter shock and mourning when we learnt that nine-year-old Kelsey Ferrigon was raped and murdered. One can only imagine how heartbreaking and devastating this is for the concerned family, teachers, and classmates. An angel was snatched from us. She was helpless. The person that was to protect her, molested her and took her life.

The sad thing is that Kelsey’s story will soon be replaced by another victim’s, and then we will be outraged once again. The cycle will continue, unfortunately.

Truthfully, many other girls are being raped, and sometimes adult family members have knowledge of the crime, but do nothing about it. Equally true is that several boys are being molested by adults, but it goes unreported. Paedophilia is quite prevalent in our society. We must do more to encourage our children to report these criminal acts, and parents, teachers, and community members should listen to them.

Similarly, many children are engaged in child labour, forced to be on the streets early in the morning, in the pelting sun, and late in the evening to help make ends meet. Sometimes this is necessary because one parent is absent and/or not pulling his or her financial weight. Regrettably, many of them do not get a chance to enjoy a childhood of play, rest, tender care, and educational opportunities.

Furthermore, children are often abused through hurtful words. They are referred to with some unkind, inhumane adjectives and names. Their home is not welcoming; therefore, they do not feel like they belong. Some are constantly reminded about their “wutliss” father or their neglectful mother. They are repeatedly told how ‘dunce’ they are and that they will not amount to anything good.

School and church are often their haven. This is why teachers — whether in the physical classroom or at Sabbath or Sunday school — must take time to care, listen, and speak positively over them.

Psalm 127:3 reminds us that, “Children are a heritage from the Lord…” They are God’s gift to us. Are we being good stewards over God’s creation? It is one thing to “be fruitful and multiply”, but are we treating them in a way that brings honour to God?

May we not use another Child Month to check the boxes, but be resolute in making every effort to protect the nation’s children — our future.

Oneil Madden

maddenoniel@yahoo.com