Beautiful Virgin Islands

Tuesday, Jun 24, 2025

VI marks 20 years of observing Child Abuse Prevention & Awareness Month

VI marks 20 years of observing Child Abuse Prevention & Awareness Month

April 2023 marks 20 years since the first observation of Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month in the Virgin Islands.

And, according to Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8), the Government of the Virgin Islands remains committed to working towards creating a Territory where children are free from discrimination, violence, and injustice.

The Minister for Health and Social Development said the Government of the Virgin Islands strives to protect the Territory’s children because today’s children will become tomorrow’s leaders. He acknowledged how children are treated today will determine the type of future, family and society the Virgin Islands will have tomorrow.

All children ‘deserve & need love & respect’- Hon Penn

Honourable Penn, according to a Government Information Services (GIS) press release on April 3, 2023, said, “All of our children deserve and need love and respect. It is our job as adults to make sure our children are safe from physical, sexual and emotional abuse, that they are not exposed to violence, and expected to handle situations that are beyond their developmental ability or are emotionally traumatised”.

In relation to this year’s theme, “20 Years of Prevention, Protection and Awareness”, Honourable Penn said that since the first year of observing Child Abuse Prevention and Awareness Month, a lot has changed in the Territory. However, the Minister noted that the work must continue with all stakeholders to curate a space in the Virgin Islands where children feel one hundred percent safe.

Minister Penn added, “As the Minister responsible for Social Development, I am committed to working towards creating a Virgin Islands where there is zero tolerance for child abuse, and everywhere is a safe space for its children. The Virgin Islands must be a place where children are afforded the opportunity to thrive and be children,” he said.
Minister for Health and Social Development Honourable Marlon A. Penn (R8) said the Government of the Virgin Islands remains committed to working towards creating a Territory where children are free from discrimination, violence, and injustice.



Activities

The Social Development Department also has several activities slated for this month’s observation, chief among them is the ‘Decorate a Gate/Fence’ competition and the Run/Walk Event. For more information on these events, persons can contact the Social Development Department at 469-3636 or 468-3650.

The Ministry of Health and Social Development said it aspires to continue a caring and integrated system of health and social services that facilitates the development and improves the quality of life in the Virgin Islands.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Beautiful Virgin Islands
0:00
0:00
Close
“You Have 12 Hours to Flee”: Israeli Threat Campaign Targets Surviving Iranian Officials
Macron and Merz: Europe must arm itself in an unstable world
Germany and Italy Under Pressure to Repatriate $245bn of Gold from US Vaults
Airlines Evaluate Flight Cancellations Amid Escalating US-Iran Tensions
Starmer Invites Innovators to Join Government Talent Scheme
UK Economy’s Strong Opening Quarter Shows Signs of Cooling
Harrods Seeks Court Order to Secure Al Fayed Estate for Victims
BA and Singapore Airlines Cancel Dubai Flights Amid Middle East Tensions
Trump Faces Backlash from MAGA Base Over Iran Strikes
Meta Bets $14 B on Alexandr Wang to Drive AI Ambitions
WATCH: Israeli forces show the aftermath of a massive airstrike at Iran's Isfahan nuclear site
FedEx Founder Fred Smith, ‘Heart and Soul’ of the Company, Dies at 80
Chinese Factories Shift Away from U.S. Amid Trump‑Era Tariffs
Pimco Seizes Opportunity in Japan’s Dislocated Bond Market
Labubu Doll Drives Pop Mart to Status as China’s Most Valuable Toy Maker
Global Coal Demand Defies Paris Accord Goals
We have new information and breaking details to share about what is shaping up to be a historic air campaign tonight
Six Massive Bombs Dropped on Fordow; Trump: 'A Historic Moment for the U.S., Israel, and the World'
Fordow: Deeply Buried Iranian Enrichment Site in U.S.–Israel Crosshairs
United States Conducts Precision Strikes on Iran’s Nuclear Sites
US strikes Iran nuclear sites, Trump says
Pakistan to nominate Trump for Nobel Peace Prize.
BBC Demands Perplexity AI Immediately Stop Using Its Content
Telegram Founder: I Will Leave My Fortune to Over 100 of My Children
Political Turmoil Resurfaces in Belgium Amid Economic Concerns
Fed policymakers divided on timing of interest rate cuts
Trump signals imminent agreement with Harvard University
Inheritance tax referendum alarms Swiss billionaire community
Japan cancels bilateral security meeting amid US defence demands
AI skeptic Emily Bender warns that ‘the emperor has no clothes’
Israel Confirms Assassination of Quds Force Commander in Tehran
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
FBI and Senate Investigate Allegations of Chinese Plot to Influence the 2020 Election in Biden’s Favor Using Fake U.S. Driver’s Licenses
Vietnam Emerges as Luxury Yacht Destination for Ultra‑Rich
Plans to Sell Dutch Embassy in Bangkok Face Local Opposition
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump's $5 Million 'Trump Card' Visa Program Draws Nearly 70,000 Applicants
DGCA Finds No Major Safety Concerns in Air India's Boeing 787 Fleet
Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Expanding Middle East Conflict Zones
Elon Musk's xAI Seeks $9.3 Billion in Funding Amid AI Expansion
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Taiwan Imposes Export Ban on Chips to Huawei and SMIC
Israel has just announced plans to strike Tehran again, and in response, Trump has urged people to evacuate
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Juncker Criticizes EU Inaction on Trump Tariffs
EU Proposes Ban on New Russian Gas Contracts
×