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Contact:
Claudia Monlouis
Wednesday, November 09, 2005 - Government is set to manifest its
commitment to the youth of Saint Lucia via the establishment of a Children’s
Home that will bring a sense of security and safety to children who are victims
of abandonment and abuse.
Director of Human Services and Family Affairs Ms. Clementia Eugene says a home
for children who are at risk is on the list of social protection priority areas
currently being addressed by the Ministry of Health, Human Services, Family
Affairs and Gender Relations.
Ms. Eugene said the project is being spearheaded by the Department of Human
Services and Family Affairs. She explained that the concept is to provide an
in-transit home for at risk children. She says at this juncture, the Ministry is
engaged in the initial phase of identifying a suitable site to establish the
home.
“The process has been long but we are hoping very soon we will identify a
suitable location which will be intended for only children between zero to 18
years.” Ms. Eugene went on to explain that the home will encompass the boarding
of both males and females, but not young people who are in conflict with the
law.
“There is a difference between children who are at risk because of care and
protection and those who are deemed at risk because they are at conflict with
the law and that’s two different target populations. The Ministry of Health has
sole responsibility for those who are in need of care and protection.”
Ms. Eugene said the home will provide a therapeutic environment. “It will be a
place that children can go for a very short term so that they could be provided
a therapeutic space for recovery and healing after having being a victim of the
different types of abuse whether it is neglect, abandonment, physical or sexual
abuse,”
Children may be reintegrated with families after suitable interventions such as
the Parenting Programme has been successfully undertaken in order to ensure
children will be able to return to a healthy environment. However this should
not be a likely option, the Department of Human Services and Family Affairs
Director says they will explore the possibilities of placing the children with
foster families.
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