Knowing what to do and doing it right!- Intervention in child sexual abuse cases in primary schools in Trinidad and Tobago

Objectives This serves to share with others my experience as a social work trained Guidance Officer in Primary Schools in the country of Trinidad and Tobago. Primary school is an institution that children attend from the age... [ view full abstract ]

Objectives
This serves to share with others my experience as a social work trained Guidance Officer in Primary Schools in the country of Trinidad and Tobago. Primary school is an institution that children attend from the age of 5 years to 12years, after which they take an entrance exam to attend High School. Guidance Officers have to be mindful of the fact that there was legislation that spoke to child sexual abuse via the Sexual Offences Act and the Children’s Act.

Method
Training was done to sensitise Social Workers and Guidance Officers on the content of these Acts and what to do when a case of child sexual abuse and neglect surfaces. Elements of the Sexual Offences Act were pulled together and a policy document was generated for all to follow. This was important as the Act demanded mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse.

Results
If there was a case of alleged child sexual abuse, the training we received assisted us in following the guidelines of the Sexual Offences Act for mandatory reporting. I had such a case and because of the training I received and the policy document given I was able to ‘do the right thing’ for that child. Others in authority in the school, for example, teachers and the principal were unsure as to what to do and how to proceed. The fact that the police will be involved created a bit of fear and uncertainty to the staff involved with the case

Conclusions
Training in child sexual abuse matters gives one the confidence and competence to assuage the situation and address it with aplomb. It is important that professionals such as social workers and Guidance Officers are trained in this area to minimize the trauma that a child can experience in the situation.