Campbell sets out roles of parents, students in child protection efforts

Wed, Apr 24th 2019, 03:09 PM

Minister of Social Services and Urban Development, the Hon. Frankie A. Campbell Thursday admonished parents, teachers, guardians and adults everywhere to be very mindful of the role they play in the lives of children and in the country’s child protection efforts.

“The society that we live in is only a continuation and an extension of the homes that we build,” Minister Campbell said. “It is possible to live in a peaceful, productive society where persons express their love for one to the other, but those peaceful societies that we dream of are the result of peaceful, loving, productive, communities. Peaceful, loving, productive communities are a result of peaceful, loving and productive homes.

“Those peaceful, loving and productive homes will only materialize when you the parents, when we as adults, play our roles to establish and create peaceful, loving, productive homes. More is caught, than is taught. And so parents, teachers, guardians, adults everywhere, as we go through and celebrate this month and beyond, let us ever be mindful of the roles we all play in the lives of our children, in the child protection efforts,” Minister Campbell added.

Addressing parents, teachers, students, caregivers and guardians attending the annual National Child Protection Month Church Service held Thursday at the Faith United Missionary Baptist Church, Baillou Hill Road South, Minister Campbell told the adults in attendance that if they want themselves and their children to live in a peaceful and productive environments, then they – as adults -- have to create that type of environment for the children.

Minister Campbell explained his “more is caught, than is taught” comment.

“Why are we surprised when our children are dishonest with us and tell us tales when just the day before we asked them to tell the insurance agent that we were not home even though we were? More is caught, than is taught.”

Minister Campbell told the students that they too have a role to play in child protection efforts.

“Your role as children, as students, first of all, is to look out for each other, to make sure that everyone is safe. Your job is to, if anyone ever makes you feel uncomfortable, report it to a trusted adult and if that adult does not respond, then report it to another trusted adult and another until you get the help you need.

“Do not engage strangers in conversations. Do not open the doors to your homes for strangers. If a stranger offers you a treat, say no, then go. Go fast away from the stranger. If a stranger offers you a ride, so no, then go.

“Your job is to make sure that if you are in an environment that makes you feel uncomfortable, you report it to the Police through its Emergency Number or the Department of Social Services through its National Hotline Numbers (322-2763 or 422-2763). The same goes if you know of a friend or relative who is in a dangerous situation.

“It is better for you to have called the Police and what you thought was danger was not danger, than for you to not call the Police and something dangerous happens,” Minister Campbell added.

Minister Campbell said the Ministry of Social Services and Urban Development, its departments, divisions, stakeholders and partners will continue to take the lead in the country’s child protection efforts.

He said while a number of activities have been scheduled for April in observance of Child Protection Month, the Ministry’s child protection efforts, and efforts to rid the country of child abuse, remain ongoing.

“We are here today to celebrate Child Protection Month. Everybody has a role to play in child protection. It is our hope that during National Child Protection Month, we would have significantly assisted our youth in discerning the difference between the wrong way and God’s way. It is also our hope that they would be empowered to separate themselves from the crowd to make the right choice, which is God’s way.”



National Child Protection Month Church Service held Thursday, April 11, 2019 at Faith United Missionary Baptist Church, Baillou Hill Road South. Minister Campbell addressed the audience. (BIS Photos/Raymond A. Bethel, Sr.)


By Matt Maura

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