In a radio message to mark the beginning of Child Abuse Prevention Month, the Minister noted the human suffering and far-reaching consequences of child abuse. He said consequences of child abuse continue even after the child is removed from the abusive situation.

The Minister said research has demonstrated that children who end up in foster or residential care as a result of abuse are at a higher risk for social, emotional, behavioural and psychiatric problems.

Skelton said further manifestations of child abuse are mental illness, developmental delay, truancy, dropping out of school, juvenile delinquency and criminal activity.

The Health Minister said along with parenting seminars where families can be strengthened and parental coping skills can be taught, the territory is pressing forward with UNICEF’s Child Protection Plan. He said the plan will provide harmonisation and reform of all legislation pertaining to children.

He invited private and civic organisations to mount an aggressive proactive campaign to support the work of Government in stemming the tide of child abuse.

“We all must help our citizens to realise that child abuse is a big problem here at home, and that we all must play a meaningful part in helping our children to develop healthy self-esteems. We must inform and encourage our citizens to report any suspected incidence of child abuse to the appropriate authorities for investigation,” he noted in his statement.

The Social Development Department, as the Government agency which mitigates in confirmed cases of child abuses, spent approximately $600,000 in 2005 to address the immediate consequences of child abuse.

This figure does not account for expenditures related to mental health services, the Police Department, Magistrate and High Courts, and the Attorney General’s Chambers.