NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government will immediately cease all forms of corporal punishment at children’s homes across the country, advised Minister of Social Services Frankie Campbell yesterday.
Campbell, who spoke to reporters outside Cabinet, indicated that the government will implement several recommendations from the National Child Protection Council following an investigation into allegations of child abuse at the Children’s Emergency Hostel.
Last month, a video was widely circulated on social media showing several women, allegedly at the home, appearing to verbally scold a group of little boys before beating them.
As a result, four employees at the home were “relieved of their duties” after preliminary investigations by the National Child Protection Council yielded sufficient information to refer the matter to the police for an official probe.
“We have agreed and accepted the recommendations and we will notify all employees, all staff members of children’s homes, in writing and let them sign to show that they are aware of the missive that there will be no corporal punishment in any form at this time,” Campbell said.
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