WILLEMSTAD – MFK Member of Parliament Maria Nita is calling on the Curaçao government to explain how it identifies and protects children who are victims of abuse but whose cases never reach the authorities.
Nita submitted a series of parliamentary questions to Minister of Social Development, Labor and Welfare Charetti America-Francisca on September 30, warning that official statistics may reveal only part of the problem of child abuse and sexual abuse in Curaçao.
According to Nita, government figures primarily reflect cases that have actually been reported. This means children who are being abused at home but remain silent may never appear in official statistics or receive the protection they need.
“A child who is not in the statistics does not mean that the problem does not exist,” Nita argues in her letter.
The MP says she is particularly concerned about children who are afraid to speak, do not know where to seek assistance or are simply unable to ask for help themselves.
In many cases, she said, children depend on adults around them to recognize warning signs. These could include teachers, relatives, neighbors, doctors, coaches or other professionals who come into contact with them.
Nita therefore wants the government to explain how schools, healthcare providers, sports organizations, childcare centers and social organizations are trained to recognize possible signs of abuse.
She is also asking what professional guidance people working with children receive so they know what to do when they suspect that a child is being physically or sexually abused.
Another concern involves children who rarely attend school or have little contact with teachers, doctors or other professionals outside their homes. According to Nita, these children can be particularly difficult to reach because there are fewer opportunities for outsiders to notice that something may be wrong.
The parliamentarian wants America-Francisca to explain what mechanisms the government uses to identify these children and how authorities ensure that they receive protection.
Nita is also seeking clarity on where children or concerned adults can report suspected abuse and whether such reports can be made safely and confidentially.
Her questions were submitted under Article 96 of the Rules of Order of the Curaçao Parliament. She has requested written answers from the minister.