Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
Mothers silent about sexual abuse of daughters
Front Page
April 16, 2010

Mothers silent about sexual abuse of daughters

Mothers across St.Vincent and the Grenadines who stand at the side of alleged perpetrators of sexual abuse at the expense of their daughters have been cited as one of the biggest challenges facing the Family Affairs Division.{{more}}

Cammie Matthews, Director of the Family Affairs Division, made the disclosure to SEARCHLIGHT earlier this week.

Minibus operators and their conductors were also identified as a significant challenge where sex with under age girls is concerned, stated Matthews.

“The major alleged perpetrators are van drivers and van conductors. Those are the ones that the schools tend to point out to us most,” he said.

Regarding mothers, Matthews told SEARCHLIGHT: “Sometimes they would not be as cooperative as they ought to. Probably because of fear, probably because they see the man as their breadfruit tree and if he were to be prosecuted and perhaps end up in prison, it’s like cutting down their breadfruit tree.”

He added: “It is the greatest challenge when you find mothers, in particular, rather than lending their support and allowing the law to have its course, they would try to impede progress, and if possible do it at the expense of their children.”

In 2009, the Family Affairs Division registered 32 cases of sexual abuse. The figure stood at 40 in 2008 and at 47 in 2007. The highest reported cases of sexual abuse within recent times, though, stood at 51 in 2002.

A report on the crime situation for the year 2008 from the Royal St.Vincent and the Grenadines stated that there were 121 cases of sexual assault during that year. These cases were broken down into rape (36); attempt rape (7); intercourse under 15 years (30); intercourse under 13 years (29); incest (14); indecent assault 50; buggery-animal (2); and buggery-person (3).

Matthews called on the country to take a tougher stance against perpetrators who are out to “dehumanize children and particularly young girls”.

“I do believe that no haven should be provided for them. Once there is concrete evidence as it were that they have done this thing I don’t even believe that you should have somebody standing by their side saying they are pleading,” said Matthews, expressing that the state needs to send a strong message to perpetrators.

Matthews stated that there are instances where individuals think that if they were to report a case their lives might be at risk. He said people can call his division or come in person. Their names will be treated with the strictest confidence,” said Matthews.

Another concern to Matthews related to the neglect of children. In 2009 there were 94 reported cases of child neglect.

“It is a serious cause for concern,” lamented Matthews, adding during the same period there were 31 cases of abandonment.

“No father, no mother. Neither of them look back,” said Matthews.

This month a series of activities highlighting the protection of children is being held under the theme: “Give Love and Respect Play Your Part Don’t Neglect”

These activities are held to heighten the awareness of child abuse and to encourage parents and those who are responsible for providing child care services to fight on to ensure the rights and dignity of children are protected.

The Family Services Division has planned parental workshops to be carried out in Ottley Hall, Georgetown, and Layou. The division is also hoping to stage a special motorcade in Campden Park on Friday, April 23, 2010, and a church service in Marriaqua on Wednesday, April 28, 2010, at the Marriaqua Seventh Day Adventist Church.

  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    Villa woman in  hospital after being stabbed over 20 times
    Front Page
    Villa woman in hospital after being stabbed over 20 times
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    Police are said to be carrying out investigations into the stabbing of Rafia Sardine, a 20-year-old female of Villa. Reports are that Sardine, a FLOW ...
    RSVGPF most hacked of gov’t agencies
    Front Page
    RSVGPF most hacked of gov’t agencies
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    In St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), an analysis has found that the most hacked government entity was the Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Polic...
    Event staged locally to mark Africa/ Caricom Day
    Front Page
    Event staged locally to mark Africa/ Caricom Day
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    Leaders of Governments and institutions from countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and the continent of Africa, gathered at the weekend for ...
    PM, proud of his constituents
    Front Page
    PM, proud of his constituents
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    Prime Minister, Dr Ralph Gonsalves, is proud of the persons in his constituency who continue to aim for higher education. Dr Gonsalves is the parliame...
    Van conductor to be sentenced for beating pregnant ex-girlfriend
    Front Page
    Van conductor to be sentenced for beating pregnant ex-girlfriend
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    A van conductor, who beat his five- months pregnant ex-girlfriend after she refused to get back with him, has been remanded pending sentencing. Onez J...
    King selected again for the ULP in West St George
    News
    King selected again for the ULP in West St George
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    To the haunting timeless reggae melody of Jimmy Cliff’s classic ‘Journey’, Curtis King, who was selected as the candidate for the Unity Labour Party (...
    News
    King selected again for the ULP in West St George
    News
    King selected again for the ULP in West St George
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    To the haunting timeless reggae melody of Jimmy Cliff’s classic ‘Journey’, Curtis King, who was selected as the candidate for the Unity Labour Party (...
    Steel wielding Lowman’s Hill man to be sentenced tomorrow
    From the Courts, News
    Steel wielding Lowman’s Hill man to be sentenced tomorrow
    Webmaster 
    September 9, 2025
    A Lowman’s Hill man who struck another villager in his head with a piece of steel will know his fate tomorrow, September 10, 2025. Kevin Roberts, 25, ...
    Minister of Information Technology  emphasises the importance of Cybersecurity
    News
    Minister of Information Technology emphasises the importance of Cybersecurity
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    Robust cybersecurity must be at the heart of the digital transformation that is currently taking place in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) says Min...
    Entities team up to boost disaster communication capacity
    News
    Entities team up to boost disaster communication capacity
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    The Climate Change Resilience Network (CCRN) in collaboration with the Youlou Radio Movement (YRM) recently embarked on a disaster preparedness initia...
    Ministry of Health to get more dialysis machines
    News
    Ministry of Health to get more dialysis machines
    Webmaster 
    September 5, 2025
    The Ministry of Health, Wellness and the Environment, is to obtain three more Heamodialysis machines as part of the revolution in the healthcare secto...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok