Bringing awareness to the presence of child abuse, about 300 students gathered at the Bahamas National Trust Easter Egg Hunt to get information about where mothers and children can receive relief from domestic violence and child abuse.
On April 6, the Department of Social Services and Kemp Road Urban Renewal were present amidst bouncing castles, face painting, grilled hotdogs and hamburgers, and other fun activities like the Easter Egg Hunt on the Retreat. BNT ‘s Lynn Gape said that the Retreat embraced the idea of being a gateway supporter of Urban Renewal’s social campaigns, when Corporal Miller from Urban Renewal came to talk to the Trust about controlling the increase of child abuse. Ms Gape said the BNT may even organize field trip to the various National Trust parks in New Providence to give Urban Renewal children experience with their environment.
“We were excited to partner with them [Urban Renewal]. They have been a phenomenal partner. They have brought all kinds of activities and help making the event a success,” said Ms. Gape.
“After talking with Inspector Smith and Corporal Miller, I was really impressed with what they are trying to do. It really is a good initiative and a good cause and BNT will try to work with Urban Renewal to come up with something that we can do that will be beneficial to the youth of their areas.
Also at the Easter Egg Hunt was Ms. Deborah Smith, Senior Welfare Officer at Social Services, who has been assigned to handle Child Protection Services at the Urban Renewal Unit explained where those who find themselves victims of this social services problem can get rescued.
“We are here today just to emphasise child abuse because we want to stamp out child abuse because the numbers are increasing and those numbers are 600 plus and those are just the cases that are reported. But, I’m sure there are cases that are kept secret because of various reasons,” said Ms. Deborah Smith, Senior Welfare Officer at Social Services.
“Our purpose here today is just to bring more awareness to the persons who are gathered here today to let them know that we know that child abuse is out there but we are warning them now to be aware that child abuse is out there.”
Ms Smith also said that she sees that the Kemp Road community was out at the event in great numbers among the students from other Urban Renewal centers. She said that in each of the 9 Urban Renewal Community Centres, there is a staff social worker present who deals with whatever situation is presented in child protection matters.
“Once we would have settled the crisis, then we send them to the area in child protection that has been established in that area,” said Ms Smith.
“The Bahamas National Trust gave us a tent to present our information to persons as they pass by. Urban Renewal partners with various organisations, governmental, as well as private, and individuals, and once we are able to get in there, we send the message, wherever, however, we just need to get the message out that every child matters.
Ms Smith said that Urban Renewal does not discriminate against the nature of child or his or her situation because Urban Renewal is here to save that child.
The Urban Renewal children participated in an active Easter Egg Hunt and shared eggs with other children who did not find any eggs.
