Beautiful Virgin Islands

Wednesday, Aug 27, 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
Spotify’s Strange Move: The Feature Nobody Asked For – Returns
Manhunt in Australia: Armed Anti-Government Suspect Kills Police Officers Sent to Arrest Him
China Launches World’s Most Powerful Neutrino Detector
How Beijing-Linked Networks Shape Elections in New York City
Ukrainian Refugee Iryna Zarutska Fled War To US, Stabbed To Death
Elon Musk Sues Apple and OpenAI Over Alleged App Store Monopoly
2 Australian Police Shot Dead In Encounter In Rural Victoria State
Vietnam Evacuates Hundreds of Thousands as Typhoon Kajiki Strikes; China’s Sanya Shuts Down
UK Government Delays Decision on China’s Proposed London Embassy Amid Concerns Over Redacted Plans
A 150-Year Tradition to Be Abolished? Uproar Over the Popular Central Park Attraction
A new faith called Robotheism claims artificial intelligence isn’t just smart but actually God itself
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner Purchases Third Property Amid Housing Tax Reforms Debate
HSBC Switzerland Ends Relationships with Over 1,000 Clients from Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Qatar, and Egypt
Sharia Law Made Legally Binding in Austria Despite Warnings Over 'Incompatible' Values
Italian Facebook Group Sharing Intimate Images Without Consent Shut Down Amid Police Investigation
Dutch Foreign Minister Resigns Amid Deadlock Over Israel Sanctions
Trump and Allies Send Messages of Support to Ukraine on Independence Day Amid Ongoing Conflict
China Reels as Telegram Chat Group Shares Hidden-Camera Footage of Women and Children
Sam Nicoresti becomes first transgender comedian to win Edinburgh Comedy Award
Builders uncover historic human remains in Lancashire house renovation
Australia Wants to Tax Your Empty Bedrooms
MotoGP Cameraman Narrowly Avoids Pedro Acosta Crash at Hungarian Grand Prix
FBI Investigates John Bolton Over Classified Documents in High-Profile Raids
Report reveals OpenAI pitched national ChatGPT Plus subscription to UK ministers
Labour set to freeze income tax thresholds in long-term 'stealth' tax raid
Coca‑Cola explores sale of Costa coffee chain
Trial hears dog walker was chased and fatally stabbed by trio
Restaurateur resigns from government hospitality council over tax criticism
Spanish City funfair shut after serious ride injury
Suspected arson at Ilford restaurant leaves three in critical condition
Tottenham beat Manchester City to go top of Premier League
Bank holiday heatwave to hit 30°C before remnants of Hurricane Erin arrive
UK to deploy immigration advisers to West Africa to block fake visas
Nurse who raped woman continued working for a year despite police alert
Drought forces closures of England’s canal routes, canceling boat holidays
Sweet tooth scents: food-inspired perfumes surge as weight-loss drugs suppress appetites
Experts warn Britain dangerously reliant on imported food
Family of Notting Hill Carnival murder victim call event unmanageable
Bunkers, Billions and Apocalypse: The Secret Compounds of Zuckerberg and the Tech Giants
Ukraine Declares De Facto War on Hungary and Slovakia with Terror Drone Strikes on Their Gas Lifeline
Animated K-pop Musical ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Becomes Netflix’s Most-Watched Original Animated Film
New York Appeals Court Voids Nearly $500 Million Civil Fraud Penalty Against Trump While Upholding Fraud Liability
Elon Musk tweeted, “Europe is dying”
Far-Right Activist Convicted of Incitement Changes Gender and Demands: "Send Me to a Women’s Prison" | The Storm in Germany
Hungary Criticizes Ukraine: "Violating Our Sovereignty"
Will this be the first country to return to negative interest rates?
Child-free hotels spark controversy
North Korea is where this 95-year-old wants to die. South Korea won’t let him go. Is this our ally or a human rights enemy?
Hong Kong Launches Regulatory Regime and Trials for HKD-Backed Stablecoins
China rehearses September 3 Victory Day parade as imagery points to ‘loyal wingman’ FH-97 family presence
×