SAINT LUCIA 2015 CHILD PROTECTION STATISTICAL DIGEST

Transcription

1 SAINT LUCIA 2015 CHILD PROTECTION STATISTICAL DIGEST

2

3 SAINT LUCIA 2015 Child Protection Statistical Digest

4 Acknowledgements UNICEF would like to acknowledge the contributions of: The Ministry of Health, Wellness, Family Affairs, Human Services and Gender Relations The Division of Human Services The New Beginnings Transit Home The Ministry of Legal Affairs, Home Affairs and National Security The Bordelais Correctional Facility The Boys Training Centre The Holy Family Children s Home 2

5 CONTENTS What is Child Protection 4 Convention on the Rights of the Child 5 Saint Lucia Profile 7 Law Reform 8 Birth Registration 10 Children in Conflict with the Law 12 Child Abuse 17 Children in Residential Care 21 Statistical Annex 26 SAINT LUCIA CHILD PROTECTION STATISTICAL DIGEST 3

6 What is Child Protection? Child Protection refers to preventing and responding to violence, exploitation and abuse against children including commercial sexual exploitation, trafficking and child labour. UNICEF s child protection programmes also target children who are uniquely vulnerable to abuses, such as when living without parental care, in conflict with the law and in armed conflict. Violence, exploitation and abuse occur in the homes, families, schools, care and justice systems, workplaces and communities across all contexts, including as a result of conflict and natural disasters. Many children are exposed to various forms of violence, exploitation and abuse, including sexual abuse and exploitation armed violence, trafficking, child labour, gender-based violence, bullying, cyber-bullying, gang violence, physically and emotionally violent child discipline, and other harmful practices. All children have the right to be protected from violence, exploitation and abuse. Some girls and boys are particularly vulnerable because of gender, race, ethnic origin or socio-economic status. Higher levels of vulnerability are often associated with children with disabilities, who are orphaned, indigenous, from ethnic minorities and other marginalised groups. Other risks for children are associated with living and working on the streets, living in institutions and detention, and living in communities where inequality, unemployment and poverty are highly concentrated. Natural disasters, armed conflict, and displacement may expose children to additional risks. Vulnerability is also associated with age; younger children are at greater risk of certain types of violence and the risks differ as they get older. 4

7 CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD 2014 marked the 25th Anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It is the most rapidly and widely ratified international human rights treaty in history. More countries have ratified the Convention than any other human rights treaty in history - as at 20 January 2015 only the United States of America was left to ratify the Convention. The Convention changed the way children are viewed and treated i.e., as human beings with a distinct set of rights instead of as passive objects of care and charity. The Convention on the Rights of the Child sets out the rights that must be realized for children to develop their full potential, free from hunger and want, neglect and abuse. It reflects a new vision of the child. Children are neither the property of their parents nor are they helpless objects of charity. They are human beings and are the subject of their own rights. The Convention offers a vision of the child as an individual and as a member of a family and community, with rights and responsibilities appropriate to his or her age and stage of development. By recognizing children s rights in this way, the Convention firmly sets the focus on the whole child. The Convention and its acceptance by so many countries has heightened recognition of the fundamental human dignity of all children and the urgency of ensuring their well-being and development. The Convention makes clear the idea that a basic quality of life should be the right of all children, rather than a privilege enjoyed by a few. The unprecedented acceptance of the Convention clearly shows a wide global commitment to advancing children s rights. There is much to celebrate on the 25th anniversary of the Convention, from declining infant mortality to rising school enrolment, but this historic milestone must also serve as an urgent reminder that much remains to be done. Too many children still do not enjoy their full rights when compared with their peers. Saint Lucia has committed itself to protecting the rights of children through the ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). There are several express Articles of the Convention that speak specifically to the obligation of the ratifying States to ensure that children are afforded protection from all forms of abuse, and require that measures be put in place to facilitate the necessary support for the abused child, and for those who have care of the child. Saint Lucia has made significant gains in ensuring that national laws, policies and practices conform with the spirit and intent of the convention Saint Lucia ratified the CRC on June 16th, The Optional Protocols on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict (CRC-OP-AC) and on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography (CRC-OP-SC) were ratified on 22nd October Advancing the CRC- Optional Protocols To help stem the growing abuse and exploitation of children worldwide, the United Nations General Assembly in 2000 adopted two Optional Protocols to the Convention on the Rights of the Child to increase the protection of children from involvement in armed conflicts and from sexual exploitation. On 14 April 2014, a third Optional Protocol was adopted, allowing children to bring complaints directly to the Committee on the Rights of the Child. The Committee will then investigate the claims and can direct governments to take action. Optional Protocols complement and add to existing treaties. They are optional because the obligations may be more demanding than those in the original convention, so States must independently choose whether or not to be bound by them. Optional protocols are treaties in their own right, and are open to signature, accession, or ratification by States that are party to the main treaty. SAINT LUCIA CHILD PROTECTION STATISTICAL DIGEST 5

8 Advancing the CRC Convention Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) 2014 Status Ratified 16 th June 1993 CRC Optional Protocol on the Involvement of Children in Armed Conflict Ratified 22 nd October 2013 CRC Optional Protocol on the Sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography Ratified 22 nd October

9 Saint Lucia Key Indicators Land size (sq. miles) 238 General Population (2013 est.) 162,781 1 Population Density( 2011) (Persons per square miles) School Age Population(5-16 yrs) 37,441 3 HDI Ranking (2013) 97 4 Child Poverty Rate (2012) (Children aged 0-17 years) 26.3 per cent 5 Unemployment Rate (2013)) 21 6 Poverty Rate; Individuals (2005/2006): Net Primary Enrolment Rate (2011) Net Secondary Enrolment Rate (2011) Expenditure on Education (% of GDP) (2011) 5.6 per cent OECS Education Statistical Digest, OECS Education Statistical Digest, ECLAC 2012 (On the basis of the MICS) Lucia_SSNA_Report.pdf 8 OECS Education Statistical Digest, OECS Education Statistical Digest, OECS Education Statistical Digest, SAINT LUCIA CHILD PROTECTION STATISTICAL DIGEST 7

10 LAW REFORM Saint Lucia ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child in July Since then the Government has attempted to place greater emphasis on issues as they relate to children with priority being given to Child Protection, Health and Education. A number of Acts and legislative measures have been developed to empower the Division of Human Services and Family Affairs to protect, support and improve the status of children and families from violence and abuse in any form. These measures include the following: CHILDREN S RIGHTS Article 4 (Protection of Rights): Governments have a responsibility to take all available measures to make sure children s rights are respected, protected and fulfilled. When countries ratify the Convention, they agree to review their laws relating to children. This involves assessing their social services, legal, health and educational systems, as well as levels of funding for these services. Governments are then obliged to take all necessary steps to ensure that the minimum standards set by the Convention in these areas are being met. They must help families protect children s rights and create an environment where they can grow and reach their potential. In some instances, this may involve changing existing laws or creating new ones. Such legislative changes are not imposed, but come about through the same process by which any law is created or reformed within a country. Article 41 of the Convention points out the when a country already has higher legal standards than those seen in the Convention, the higher standards always prevail. The Saint Lucia Chapter Children and Young Persons Act revised edition as at December 31st, This Act empowers the relevant authorities to work towards and support the protection of young persons under the age of 12 years. The Saint Lucia Family Court Act Chapter 2.03 revised edition as at 31st December Saint Lucia Domestic violence Act of 1995 revised Chapter 4.04 December 31st 2005 defines a child as a as a person below the age of 18 years. The Act further defines: domestic violence to mean any act of violence whether physical or verbal abuse perpetrated by a member of household upon a member of the same household which causes or is likely to cause physical, mental or emotional injury or harm to the abused party or any other member of the household ; Earning Act The Saint Lucia Criminal Code of 1957, revised in 1992, and The Draft Protocol for the Management of Child Abuse and Neglect in Saint. Lucia, developed by the Division of Human services and Family Affairs in April The Evidence Act (2002) secures and guarantees the effective testimony of children in legal proceedings. The introduction of video link technology under the Act, has proven essential in protecting children who have been victims of sexual abuse. A child under the age of twelve years who is a complainant in a sexual offence 8

11 case can be afforded treatment as a vulnerable witness. In such cases the child may be allowed to testify while being screened off from the defendant, or testify from a location outside the court room. While children under the age of twelve (12) years cannot be sworn, provision is made under the Act, to accept the child s evidence as admissible, if the child states that s/he promises to tell the truth. Child Protection Programmes The Family Court has also introduced a parenting programme which targets parents with children who are victims of family violence. One of the long term objectives of this programme is to minimize risk for children who witness domestic abuse that they will not perpetuate the cycle of domestic violence in their own families. The parenting programme at the Family Court is not limited to domestic violence issues. It also addresses various forms of child maltreatment. The Family Court has implemented the child victim witness programme which prepares children for their role in court, where children have to give evidence in cases where they are victims of abuse. They are prepared by the court social worker for the video link court. This gives better access to justice for child victims who can give their evidence in a different geographic location from the criminal court where the accused would be. The court social worker will sit with the child during proceedings. The environment is a non-threatening one which enables the child to give their best possible evidence. This is an ongoing programme of the Family Court. (Source Family Court Response July 2nd 2012). SAINT LUCIA CHILD PROTECTION STATISTICAL DIGEST 9

12 BIRTH REGISTRATION The International Convention on the Rights of the Child states that every child has the right to a name and a nationality and the right to protection from being deprived of his or her identity. Birth registration is a fundamental means of securing these rights for children. The World Fit for Children states the goal to develop CHILDREN S RIGHTS The Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) calls for the registration of a child immediately after birth (Article 7). systems to ensure the registration of every child at or shortly after birth, and fulfil his or her right to acquire a name and a nationality, in accordance with national laws and relevant international instruments. MICS Data The MICS indicator related to birth registration is the per centage of children under 5 years of age whose birth is registered. Approximately nine out of ten (92 per cent) children under five years in Saint Lucia have been registered with civil authorities. The table shows that there are no large disparity variations in birth registration by many of the background characteristics. However, comparing birth registration by wealth status reveals that the poorest 40% households attained 86 per cent birth registration compared with 98 per cent among the richest households. Table 2 shows that there is a gradual increase in the proportion of children registered as the ages of the children increases. While approximately eight out of ten children (78 per cent) within the age of 0-11 months were registered, almost all children (99 per cent) age months were registered. This pattern may be because the birth certificate is a required for school registration. Table 1 Birth Registration Percentage of children under age 5 by whether birth is registered and percentage of children not registered whose mothers/ caretakers know how to register birth, Saint Lucia, 2012 Has birth certificate Seen Children under age 5 whose birth is registered with civil authorities Not seen No birth certificate Total registered [1] No. of children Sex Male Female Area Urban Rural Age Mother s education Wealth index Ethnicity of household head (57.0) (14.6) (21.8) None/ Primary Secondary + Poorest 40% Richest 60% African Descent Other Ethnicity (64.2) (10.8) (17.9) (93.0) 39 Total [1] MICS indicator 8.1 ( ) Figures that are based on unweighted cases 10

13 While 91 per cent of children are registered, one in every five (25 per cent) children under age 5 do not have a birth certificate, indicating other forms of registration are common in Saint Lucia. These children are more likely to be from the urban areas (26 per cent) than the rural areas (21 per cent) and they are most likely to be from the richest households (23 per cent) compared with the poorest households (19 per cent). It is of grave concern that there are some children in Saint Lucia who are not registered. Given the importance of birth registration to the fulfilment of the rights of the child, the parents, the Civic registration authorities, the Ministry of Health and other relevant stakeholders, need to work together to ensure full registration of all children in Saint Lucia. Birth Registration reform - The Catch up Campaign: In 2011 it was estimated that approximately 14,959 children between the ages of 1 to 18 years had incomplete birth registration records (missing names on certificates). During 2011, The Ministry of Legal Affairs instituted a Rectification Fair where staff visited various communities in an effort to ensure that each child had complete registration. The following table provides data on the current status of registration on children under 18 years. Table 2 No. of Children under 18 years by Type of Missing Data on Birth Certificate August 2014 Type of Missing Data on Birth Certificate No. of boys with missing first name on birth certificate No. of girls with missing first name on birth certificate 4, 521 7,818 The most recent data (August 2014) reveals that a total of 12, 339 children who reside in St. Lucia have a missing first name on their birth certificates. Of this number 63 per cent (7,818) are females and 37 per cent (4, 521) are males. Total no. of children with missing first name on birth certificate Total no. of children missing first name and father s name Total no. of children missing father s name on record Source: Ministry of Legal Affairs 12,339 5,622 6,717 SAINT LUCIA CHILD PROTECTION STATISTICAL DIGEST 11

14 CHILDREN IN CONFLICT WITH THE LAW The Saint Lucia s Children and Young Person s Act (1972) and Criminal Code (2005) provide the legislative framework for the management of juvenile offenders and for children and youth in need of care and protection. A Family Court system was established pursuant to the Family Court Act of While juvenile cases are generally tried in a Magistrate s Court juveniles charged with indictable offenses may elect to have their cases before the High Court instead of the Family Court. The age of criminal responsibility is 12 years old and young offenders may be sentenced to the adult prison at 16 years. CHILDREN S RIGHTS According to Articles 37 and 40 of the convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), children in conflict with the law have the right to treatment that promotes their sense of dignity and worth, takes into account their age and aims at their reintegration into society. Also, placing children in conflict with the law in a closed facility should be a measure of last resort, to be avoided whenever possible. The convention prohibits the imposition of the death penalty and sentences of life imprisonment for offences committed by persons under the age of 18. Boys Training Centre The Boys Training Centre (BTC), was established in 1960 and falls under the auspices of the Ministry of Social Transformation and to date it is the only residential centre for troubled boys. The Centre was originally constructed and managed as a penal centre. The BTC has made efforts to move away from the penal modus operandi to a rehabilitative centre. The Children and Young Persons Act, Chapter 3.09 of the Revised Laws of Saint Lucia and the Family Court Act, Chapter 2.03 of the Revised Laws of St. Lucia, guide the operations of the Boys Training Centre. Under the Children and Young Persons Act, Chapter 3.09, of the Revised Laws of Saint Lucia, a magistrate can order a young boy to be detained for the following reasons: Care and Protection - Section 9 (d) the court may make an order for a juvenile, whose circumstances may be as a result of assault, ill treatment, needing Care and Protection or removal from the charge of guardians to be detained in a Government Industrial school for a period not exceeding 3 years. Committing an offence - Section 16 (e), where a juvenile is found guilty of any offence before a juvenile court, the court may commit the juvenile to be detained in a government training school for a stated period. Remand pending trial Section 21 (1) A magistrate s court on remanding or committing for a trial a juvenile who is not released on bail shall commit him or her to custody in a place of safety named in the commitment, or to a Government Industrial School, to be there detained for the period for which he or she is remanded or until he or she is thence delivered in due course of law. 12

15 The Boys Training Centre accommodates boys in conflict with the law and those in need of care and protection. During the period a total of 140 boys were admitted to the Centre. Boys admitted for Care and Protection outnumber those who were admitted as offenders, 36.4 per cent (51) were admitted as offenders and 63.6 per cent (89) for Care and Protection. In 2010, 2012 and 2013 the numbers of boys admitted for care and protection more than doubled the amount of boys who were admitted to the facility as offenders. Chart 1 No. of Boys Admitted to Boys Training Centre by Type of Admission Source: Ministry of Social Transformation The largest number of offenders were admitted to the facility in A total of 15 offenders were admitted in this year, accounting for 18.5 per cent of all offenders. This represents an 87 per cent and 67 per cent increase, respectively over the number of boys admitted in 2009 and However this number declined in 2012 and further declined in 2013 by 53 per cent with 7 boys admitted to the facility. SAINT LUCIA CHILD PROTECTION STATISTICAL DIGEST 13

16 Chart 2 Percentage of Offences Committed by Boys in Custodial Care at the Boys Training Centre Source: Boys Training Centre The offences for which boys were detained included stealing, assault, wounding, possession of drugs, and trespassing. The most common offence over the five year period was stealing, which accounted for 59.6 per cent (60) of all offences. Wounding accounted for 11.8 per cent (6) of all offences. Chart 3 Percentage of Boys In Custodial Care at the Boys Training Centre by Place of Residence Source: Boys Training Centre 14

17 The majority (49 per cent) of offenders admitted to the Boys Training Center from , resided in the district of Castries. Seventeen per cent (9) of all offenders resided in Dennery, followed by Vieux Fort and Gros Islet with 14 per cent (7) and 12 per cent (6) respectively. Court Diversion Programme The Ministry of Home Affairs and National Security introduced a Court Diversion Programme in The Programme targeted young persons aged 12 to 19 years old who were probationers, juveniles, chronic school suspenders or school drop outs. The programme fell under the ambit of the Probation and Parole Services Department of the Ministry of Home Affairs and National Security. However, due to financial constraints the Programme was closed 31st March, (The Department of Probation and Parole Services to date has not been able to re-institute this programme). Table 3 Referrals to the Diversion Programme Age Sex Geographic Location/Residence 18 and under Male Source : Probation and Parole Services Female City of Castries Environ, Castries Basin, Gros- Islet For the period there were 63 referrals to the diversion programme and of this number 65 per cent of the referrals were males and 35 per cent females. The majority of the youth who were referred to the programme resided in the areas of Castries and Gros- Islet. Children in Detention Chart 4 Age Distribution of Children in Custodial Care at the Bordelais Correctional Facility Source: Bordelais Correctional Facility SAINT LUCIA CHILD PROTECTION STATISTICAL DIGEST 15

18 During the period a total of 63 children were detained at the Bordelais Correctional Facility. Of this number 34.9 per cent (22) were aged 16 years and 65 per cent (41) were aged 17 years. This represents an overall 60 per cent difference between the two age groups. In 2011 the highest number (28) of children aged 16 were in detention. In the following two years, the number decreased and in 2013 the number declined by 73 per cent with 3 children aged 16 years detained. Of the total number of juveniles aged 17 years in detention, the largest number (17) was detained in Similar to juveniles aged 16 years, this number decreased in the following two years, and declined by 35 per cent and 23 per cent in 2012 and 2013 respectively. Chart 5 Sex of Children in Custodial Care at the Bordelais Correctional Facility Source: Bordelais Correctional Facility Boys account for a greater proportion of children in detention, when compared to girls. Of the 63 childrendetained at the BordeliasCorrectional Facility, 97 per cent (61) were males and 3 per cent (2) were females. One female was detained at the prison in both 2011 and In 2012 there were no girls resident in the prison system. 16

19 CHILD ABUSE The Division of Human Services is within the Ministry of Health, Wellness, Human Services and Gender Relations. It is the main government agency with charged with responsibility for the protection of children from all forms of abuse and neglect. CHILDREN S RIGHTS States Parties that recognize the Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989) undertake to protect children from all forms of sexual exploitation and sexual abuse including exploitative use in prostitution and pornography (Article 34), which the Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (2000) further refines. Article 34 states that measures should be taken to prevent inducement or coercion of a child to engage in any unlawful sexual activity. The exploitative use of children in prostitution or other unlawful sexual practices and the exploitative use of children in pornographic performances and materials. Child labour. According to the MICS 11, eight per cent of children age 5 14 years are engaged in child labour and they are three times more likely to be from the poorest households (12 per cent) than from the richest households (4 per cent). The prevalence of child labour is significantly higher among children in the 5 11 years age group than those aged years. All the children aged 5 14 years who are child labourers (100 per cent) are also attending school. On the other hand, of the children aged 5 14 years attending school, 8 per cent are involved in child labour activities. Children attending school who are involved in child labour are most likely to be male (9 per cent) within the 5 11 years age group (12 per cent) and from the poorest households (12 per cent). (See Statistical Annex) Child discipline. According to the MICS, overall 68 per cent of children aged 2 14 years (68 per cent) experienced at least one form of psychological or physical punishment from their parents or other adult household members during the month preceding the survey, with male children more likely to be subjected to psychological aggression and any form of physical punishment compared to females. However, only one in every five respondents to the household questionnaires (21 per cent) believed that children should be physically punished. A large per centage of both male children (71 per cent) and female children (64 per cent) aged 2 14 years are experiencing some violent discipline method. The use of violent discipline is slightly more prevalent in urban areas (77 per cent) compared to rural areas (65 per cent). The 2 4-year-olds are the children most likely to be subjected to violent discipline methods (69 per cent) compared to other ages. Children from the poorest households are more likely to be disciplined using a violent method (75 per cent) compared to those from the richest households (62 per cent). (See Statistical Annex). Early marriage/union/polygyny. According to the MICS, About 3 per cent of women aged in Saint Lucia were married or entered a marital union before the age of 15, with approximately 14 per cent of those in the age group of years being married or in a union at the time of the survey. One in every five women (21 per cent) in the age group years was married or in a union with a man who was older by 10 or more years at the time of the survey. Approximately 6 per cent of women between the ages are in a polygynous marriage or union. These relationships are highest among women aged years (12 per cent) 11 The Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS) is an international household survey programme developed by the United Nations Children s Fund (UNICEF). The Barbados MICS was conducted as part of the fourth global round of MICS surveys (MICS4) in 2012 by the Barbados Statistical Service and UNICEF. The MICS provides up-to-date information on the situation of children and women and measures key indicators that allow countries to monitor progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and other internationally agreed upon commitments. SAINT LUCIA CHILD PROTECTION STATISTICAL DIGEST 17

20 and lower among women aged years (4 per cent). About one in five women (21 per cent) aged years are currently married or in a union to a man who is older by 10 years or more. Approximately one in ten women (13 per cent) aged who are currently married or in a union have a husband or spouse who is younger than them. On the other hand, two out of five women aged years (41 per cent) have a husband or spouse who is 0 4 years older than them. (See Statistical Annex). Chart 6 Reported Cases of Child Abuse Source: Division of Human Services and Family Affairs A total of 501 cases of child abuse were reported in 2010 and Physical abuse was the most common type of reported abuse, accounting for 36.3 per cent of all abuse cases. There was a 21.9 per cent increase of cases in 2011, when compared to Sexual abuse cases followed with 32.5 per cent (163), neglect 25.1 per cent (126) and verbal abuse 6.0 per cent (30). All forms of child abuse increased during the 2011 period with the exception of verbal abuse. It was the only form of abuse to experience a decline, (by 80 per cent) when compared with the previous year. The number of physical abuse cases increased by 21.9 per cent, sexual abuse increased by 14 per cent, and neglect increased by 3.2 per cent. There was an overall increase in the number of child abuse cases in Overall the total number of reported cases in 2011 increased by 4.5 per cent when compared to the 245 reported cases in Of total number of reported cases of sexual abuse, 63.8 per cent (320) of abused children were girls. In 2010 there were 147 girls who were sexually abused and this number increased by 18 per cent to 173 girls in

21 Chart 7 Reported Cases Of Child Sexual Abuse Source: Division of Human Services For the period there were 440 reported cases of child sexual abuse. The number of reported cases fluctuated during the period under review. The most cases, 106 (24.1 percent) and 97 (22.0 percent) were reported in 2007 and 2009 respectively. In 2011 the number of cases reported were 87 (19.8 percent) which represents a 17.8 percent and 10 percent decrease when compared with the number of reported cases in 2007 and 2009 respectively. Chart 8 Reported Cases of Child Sexual Abuse 2010 Source: Division of Human Services For the period January to December 2010, there were 76 reported cases of child sexual abuse. There were more reports (41) of child sexual abuse in the first half of the year January June when compared with July December (35). The months of March, June and July recorded the highest number of cases accounting for 13.2 per cent in March and June and 11.8 per cent in July. The months with the lowest number of reported cases were January and August, each month, experiencing 3 reported cases or 3.9 per cent of all sexual abuse cases. SAINT LUCIA CHILD PROTECTION STATISTICAL DIGEST 19

22 Chart 9 Perpetrators of Child Sexual Abuse 2010 Source: Division of Human Services Of the 63 perpetrators identified in reported cases of sexual abuse for 2010, all were known to the victims. The largest number (24) of perpetrators were identified as community members. This group accounted for 38.1 per cent of all perpetrators. Family members including, uncles, fathers, cousins, stepfathers and brother-in-law accounted for half (50.7 per cent) of all perpetrators with fathers accounting for 20.6 per cent (13). One police officer and one principal were also identified as perpetrators of child sexual abuse. 20

23 CHILDREN IN RESIDENTIAL CARE The Ministry of Health, Wellness, Human Services and Gender Relations is the Ministry Responsible for Children in Residential Care. In Saint Lucia there are two residential care facilities available to children who are in need. The two facilities are the New Beginnings Transit Home which is a State Managed Facility and the Holy Family Home which is a private managed facility. They both cater to children up 17 years of age. The New Beginnings Transit Home for children officially opened its doors in January The Home caters to children who are victims of severe child abuse and neglect and can accommodate up to twenty-two (22) children. The Home includes a Therapeutic Centre intended to provide psychotherapy treatment. CHILDREN S HUMAN RIGHTS While children have the right to be cared for by their parents or family, a child who no longer has a family, has become separated from his or her family, or whose family presents serious danger to his or her health or development has the right to alternative care. Article 20 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child states that a child temporarily or permanently deprived of his or her family environment, or in whose own best interests cannot be allowed to remain in that environment, shall be entitled to special protection and assistance provided by the State. This should be in accordance with national laws to ensure alternative care, adoption or if necessary placement in suitable institutions for the care of children. Chart 10 Number of Admissions New Beginnings Transit Home Source: New Beginnings Transit Home During the period there were 83 admissions to the Transit Home. The largest number of admissions occurred in 2011, when the Home opened its doors with 39.7 (33) per cent of total admissions occurring. This was followed by 2013, recording the second highest total with 22 admissions (26.5 per cent). There were 14 admissions (16.8 per cent) in both 2012 and SAINT LUCIA CHILD PROTECTION STATISTICAL DIGEST 21

24 Chart 11 Per centage of Admissions by Sex of Child New Beginnings Transit Home Source: New Beginnings Transit Home The number of female admissions doubled the number of male admissions at the Transit Home. For the period under review, females accounted for 68 per cent (56) of all admissions when compared to 32 per cent (27) for males. Holy Family Children s Home The Holy Family Children s Home is a charitable organization which was founded in It can accommodate a maximum of 20 children up to the age of 17, however in special circumstances this can be extended to age 18. Most of the children who reside at the home attend primary and secondary school and are waiting to be adopted or fostered, while others are waiting to be reunited with their families. The Home collaborates closely with the Division of Human Services in its efforts to find suitable families for the children in care. Chart 12 Number of Children in residence and Number of Children Discharged Holy Family Children s Home

25 There was an annual decline in the number of children resident at the Holy Family Children s Home from 2009 to In 2009 there were 24 children in residence, this number decreased to 21 children in 2010 and continued to decline in subsequent years. In 2013 there were 14 children in residence. The total number of children who were discharged during the five year period totalled 12. The highest number of discharges occurred in 2011, with 4 children being discharged, followed by 2009 with 3 children being discharged. The average ratio of children in residence to those being discharged is approximately 8:1. Chart 13 Length of Stay of Discharged Children from Holy Family Children s Home Source: Holy Family Children s Home Of the 12 children who were discharged from the Home during the five year period, 41 per cent resided at the center for a duration of years. Twenty-five per cent of children resided for 6-10 years, and 17 per cent resided for 1-5 years. Seventeen per cent of all children discharged resided at the facility for less than one year. Boys Training Centre As highlighted in Children in Conflict with the Law The Boys Training Centre provides a residential facility for boys in need of care and protection. Under the Children and Young Persons Act, Chapter 3.09, of the Revised Laws of Saint Lucia, a magistrate can order a young boy to be detained for the following reasons: Care and Protection - Section 9 (d) the court may make an order for a juvenile, whose circumstances may be as a result of assault, ill treatment, needing Care and Protection or removal from the charge of guardians to be detained in a Government Industrial school for a period not exceeding 3 years. SAINT LUCIA CHILD PROTECTION STATISTICAL DIGEST 23

26 Chart 14 Boys Admitted to the Boys Training Centre for Care and Protection Source: Boys Training Centre During the period under review a total of 89 boys were admitted to the Boys Training Centre for Care and Protection. There was some variation in the number of admissions during the period under review. In 2009 the lowest number (7) of boys were admitted to the facility, this number increased by over 150 per cent in the following year and remained constant in The number of admissions peaked in 2012 with 28 admissions. The number of admissions then decreased in 2013 by 35.7 per cent, to a similar number (18) experienced in both 2010 and Chart 15 Admissions for Care and Protection by Place of Residence: Boys Training Centre Source: Boys Training Centre 24

27 The figure illustrates the places of residence for boys admitted for care and protection during the period The majority, 65 per cent (56) of boys admitted resided in the district of Castries, followed by the district of Gros Islet 14 per cent (12) and Vieux Fort 10 per cent (9). The other Districts accounted for less than 12 per cent (10) of all admissions. SAINT LUCIA CHILD PROTECTION STATISTICAL DIGEST 25

28 STATISTICAL ANNEX 26

29 Table 1 Birth registration Per centage of children under age 5 by whether birth is registered and per centage of children not registered whose mothers/caretakers know how to register birth, Saint Lucia, 2012 Has birth certificate Seen Children under age 5 whose birth is registered with civil authorities Not seen No birth certificate Total registered [1] No. of children Sex Male Female Area Urban Rural Age (57.0) (14.6) (21.8) Mother s education Wealth index Ethnicity of household head None/ Primary Secondary Poorest 40% Richest 60% African Descent Other Ethnicity (64.2) (10.8) (17.9) (93.0) 39 Total [1] MICS indicator 8.1 ( ) Figures that are based on unweighted cases Source: St. Lucia MICS 2012 SAINT LUCIA CHILD PROTECTION STATISTICAL DIGEST 27

30 Table 2 Early marriage and polygyny Per centage of women age years who first married or entered a marital union before their 15th birthday, per centages of women age years who first married or entered a marital union before their 15th and 18th birthdays, per centage of women age years currently married or in union, and the per centage of women age years currently married or in union who are in a polygynous marriage or union, Saint Lucia, 2012 Per centage married before age 15 [1] Number of women age years Per centage married before age 15 Per centage married before age 18 [2] Number of women age years Per centage of women years currently married/ in union [3] Number of women age years Per centage of women age years in polygynous marriage/ union [4] Number of women age years currently married/ in union Area Urban Rural Age na na na na na na na na na na na na na na na Education None/Primary (*) Secondary Wealth index Ethnicity of household head Poorest 40% Richest 60% African Descent Other Ethnicity Total Figures include Visiting Relations [1] MICS indicator 8.6 [2] MICS indicator 8.7 [3] MICS indicator 8.8 [4] MICS indicator 8.9 (*) Figures that are based on less than 25 unweighted cases Source: St. Lucia MICS

31 Table 3 Trends in early marriage Per centage of women who were first married or entered into a marital union before age 15 and 18, by residence and age groups, Saint Lucia, 2012 Per centage of women married before age 15 Number of women age Per centage of women married before age 18 Urban Rural All Number of women age Per centage of women married before age 15 Number of women age Per centage of women married before age 18 Number of women age Per centage of women married before age 15 Number of women age Per centage of women married before age 18 Number of women age Age na na na na na na Total Source: St. Lucia MICS 2012 SAINT LUCIA CHILD PROTECTION STATISTICAL DIGEST 29

32 Table 4 Child Offenders by District of Residence: Boys Training Centre Total Per cent Gros Islet Dennery Micoud Vieux Fort Choiseul Soufriere Castries Total Source: Boys Training Centre Table 5 Boys Admitted for Care and Protection by District of Residence: Boys Training Centre Total Per cent Gros Islet Dennery Micoud Vieux Fort Choiseul Soufriere Castries Total Source: Boys Training Centre 30

33 Month Table 6 Reported Cases of Child Abuse January December 2010 Type of Abuse Sexual Neglect Verbal Physical Total January February March April May June July August September October November December Total Source: Division of Human Services and Family Affairs

34

35

36 Published by the UNICEF Office of the Eastern Caribbean Area First Floor, UN House, Marine Gardens, Hastings Christ Church, Barbados Tel: (246) Fax: (246) Website: April 2015