WILLEMSTAD - The Ministry of Social Development, Labor and Welfare (SOAW) has activated a national plan to combat abuse and to raise awareness of the steps that can be taken in the event of abuse.

During a press conference that was held yesterday at Fort Amsterdam, the minister and representatives of the ministry explained that the plan focuses on child abuse and domestic and relationship violence. SOAW has worked on this together with the Ministries of Justice, of Public Health, Environment and Nature and of Education, Science, Culture and Sport.

“There are several governmental and non-governmental agencies working against abuse. However, we have not yet managed to eliminate this. In our aim to do this and to properly tackle the cases that do exist, we have entered into a partnership with, among others, Amnesty International, PSI-Skuchami, Bos di Hubentut, Stichting Victim Support Curaçao, Guardianship Council / CMK, Aliansa, Safety House / AJJC, the children's phone line, Cafra, Seda, Famia Plania and the Public Prosecution Service to create awareness and inform residents of Curaçao about the agencies they can go to and steps they can take to seek help for themselves, a family member or acquaintance who is a victim of abuse,” said SOAW Minister Hensley Koeiman.

Professionals advise victims of abuse to first seek support from family, friends or neighbors or contact the Stichting Slachtofferhulp Curaçao (Victim Assistance Foundation), the children's phone line, the central reporting center for child abuse or PSI Skuchami (Listen to Me). The numbers are shown in the step-by-step plan.

This awareness campaign is not only to raise awareness and inform the community about all organizations dealing with cases of abuse, but also to provide information about the signs and consequences of abuse.