Children rights Commission warns against child abuse through virtual platforms

…amid switch to education online during COVID-19

As the world has shifted towards greater use of technology amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rights of the Child Commission has urged parents and teachers to be on the lookout for signs of abuse of children through virtual platforms.

The Rights of the Child Commission is the constitutional body to provide monitoring and oversight to ensure adherence to the rights of the child. However, in a press statement on Monday, it noted that there has been “seemingly endless occurrences of abuse of children” and in differing forms

This, it said, should be of grave concern to all Guyanese. Even as the Commission thanked the Child Care and Protection Agency (CPA) for its work, as well as social workers and teachers, it stressed that more must be done to protect children.

“We urge our teachers, whether in virtual classes, classes on our street corners, in-person secondary school class teachers, or even of those who just submit work, to continue to be on the lookout for signs of abuse and to reach out to students who were earlier identified as at risk for abuse,” the Commission urged.

“Teachers are also urged to be alert to the reality of cyberbullying. Class bullying may now have been transformed to…online to continue to torment their class peers.”

The Commission further highlighted that citizens, in general, must continue to be vigilant, because COVID-19 has increased the risk to child abuse, neglect and other negative occurrences. Those who witness such acts are asked to contact any relevant authority even as the Commission continues its own investigations.

The Commission stated firmly: “Child abuse in all its forms, whether inflicted by adult or peer, is wrong and all of us must not only be concerned but be prepared to act to protect a child. Parents must not turn a blind eye and deaf ear to a child who complains of abuse and must be alert to instances where persons in your home show a propensity to abuse or appear untrustworthy around your children.  Parents also are urged to always remember that they are the primary protectors of theirs and other children in their sphere and care.  Adults who show a desire to be abusive must be stopped and condign action taken against them.”