Child abuse: a Caribbean regional perspective

ABSTRACT

Contends that in the Caribbean context the definition of `child abuse and neglect' is important because of child rearing practices and the widespread use of corporal punishment. Defines neglect in terms of the jeopardy of the child's physical, emotional and intellectual needs. Comments on some forms of abuses and offers reasons for their practice. Discusses the measures of legislative reform, also the Educational outreach and counselling services formulated in Barbados to combat the growing incidence of child abuse. Presents statistics of the various forms of child abuse and contends that the 0-4 and 5-12 age groups are at the greatest risk of being abused. Some of the major regional concerns as reflected here are child abuse in every class and ethnic groups placed against social services which cater mainly for the poorer classes; the high correlation found between early pregnancy and child abuse; the increasing evidence of children being diagnosed HIV positive and developing AIDS as a result of sexual molestation; findings that the natural rather than the step-father more frequently being the abusers; reported cases being just the tip of the iceberg; and the need to include economic abuse in the legal definition of child abuse. Details the conferences request for a comprehensive prevention strategy viz legal, educational, therapeutic, community-based and culturally appropriate. (AU)