Harsher penalties against child rights violators eyed

The CNMI government on Friday stressed the need to expedite approcal of the proposed changes to the existing anti-child abuse law, in hopes to prevent the increasing cases of child rights violation in the Commonwealth.

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio underscored the need for immediate changes to the existing law Friday after he officially designated April as the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month.

In an interview with reporters, the governor disclosed moves to give the existing law additional teeth in order to discourage people from committing crimes against the children. He said changes to the law should include stiffer penalties against child rights violators.

The CNMI chief executive added that the proposed amendments have already beeb forwarded to the Legislature. The new measure is now awaiting action from both the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Mr. Tenorio said child abuse is a serious problem and children stand to reap the effects of a violent family, adding that parents should learn to get the services offered by the government to resolve problems in the family.

“Parents should spend more time with their children, they learn from their family. It is important to talk to them and to participate in their children’s activities,” the governor told a press briefing.

Chief prosecutor Kevin Lynch also noted that problems of child neglect and abuse continue to flood local courts, while pointing out that legal intervention does not necessarily offer solution to the problem.

Mr. Lynch urged the public to rouse their interest on potential child abuse and neglect cases by reporting incidents to proper authorities than wait for children to suffer.

“The court cannot heal a cut, or bring somebody back to life. Solution to the problem is to make a happy home and that is a heavy responsibility for the community. Children are the blocks for the future and let’s help them to be strong,” said Mr. Lynch.

The Division of Youth Services together with advocating agencies mapped out a month-long activities to promote and raise awareness on child abuse and neglect.

Child abuse and neglect is a serious and growing problem affecting not only the Commonwealth but all other countries around the world. In fact, it is the leading cause of death for young children.

Agencies involved in the “For the Children” campaign urged the public to wear a blue ribbon to serve as a constant reminder of the need to protect all the children and to identify families at risk.

More than 50 individuals from the government and the private sector witnessed the proclamation signing at the Multi-Purpose Hall in Susupe. They have vowed to participate in a multi-sectoral campaign to raise community awareness on the need to protect the rights of the child.

The Division of Youth Services reported more than 200 cases of child abuse and neglect cases in the Northern Marianas in the year 2000. While this figure represents a significant decline from previous years, officials said more should be done to completely eradicate the problem.

The DYS Statistical Summary of Child Abuse and Neglect reported that there were 750 cases of child rights violation cases in 1997. This dropped to 670 the following year and then to 368 cases in 1999.

Of the 208 cases of child rights violation cases in the year 2000, 99 cases were physical neglect; 47 cases were physical abuse, 44 cases were sexual abuse, and 18 cases were emotional abuse.

The number dropped from 178 physical neglect; 93 physical abuse, 60 sexual abuse, and 37 emotional abuse, in 1999.

These abuse cases are likely to result on cognitive, developmental delay, stress-related physical ailments of a child, affecting even their emotional and mental behavior.

According to reports, abuse is sometimes done with intention to hurt while, at other times, without malicious intent and awareness. Nevertheless, it leaves physical and emotional scars that last a lifetime and most often continue in a tragic cycle into future generations.

Physical abuse include hitting, slapping, pushing, shaking while emotional or verbal abuse include put-downs, insults and threats. Neglect, on the other hand, include failing to provide for a child’s physical or emotional needs and sexual abuse include any sexual contact with a child, using a child for pornography, or exposing a child to adult sexual activity.

But whatever it is, abuse is a behavior that is intended to control and subjugate another human being through the use of fear, humiliation and verbal or physical assaults. (EGA)