Children's Authority: Child's death should sound an alarm

THE MURDER of a two-year-old girl on Friday has shocked and saddened the Children’s Authority which has called for a safe environment for children.

In a release on Sunday, the authority said children need to grow in a safe environment in which they are protected and nurtured. The authority also said children had a right to be free from fear and violence.

Sending condolences to the family Aniah McCloud, who was fatally shot along with her father Stephon McCloud in Tunapuna on Friday, the authority said the death of a child should "sound an alarm to every citizen, that our future is under attack."

The authority said, therefore, measures must be adopted to care and protect children so they can achieve their full potential and become the future leaders in every sphere of society.

It also said there "should also be an outcry for an end to the abuse suffered by our nation’s children at the hands of those who are responsible for their care and protection."

"The authority continues to call on the public to recognise that “child protection is everybody’s business”. Bringing an end to child abuse requires the efforts of every member of society and turning a blind eye is not an option.

"Therefore, if anyone is aware or suspects that a child is being abused, they should call the Authority’s Hotline at 996 or the Police at 999," the release advised.

It also said since children will continue to remain at home until schools re-open in September, it encouraged community-based organisations, faith-based organisations and non-governmental organisations, to provide an additional layer of support for families who are returning to work and need child care services.

"Together we can make the home, community and nation safe for our children to thrive," the release said.