Action not silence & shared obligation

The deaths of children in Guyana over the past weeks have brought renewed attention to the urgent need to strengthen the systems, relationships and community responsibilities that safeguard young lives. While investigations and prosecutions are essential to securing justice, preventing further tragedies requires more than a response after harm has occurred. It calls for a sustained national commitment to recognising risks, reporting abuse, listening to children and intervening when their safety is threatened.
The call for families to strengthen communication, take disclosures of abuse seriously and speak out against wrongdoing is therefore both timely and necessary. Protecting children cannot be left solely to the police, social services, schools or the courts. These institutions have critical responsibilities, but families and communities are often best positioned to recognise warning signs and act before a situation escalates.
At the centre of this responsibility is the home, which should be an environment in which children feel secure enough to speak honestly about their experiences, express their fears and seek assistance without being dismissed, blamed or intimidated.
Modern communication technology has made it easier to remain connected to the wider world, but that connectivity does not necessarily translate into meaningful engagement within families. Parents and caregivers must make an effort to understand what is happening in their children’s lives, including their relationships, experiences at school, interactions online and emotional well-being.
Such engagement requires time, patience and trust as children may not always know how to describe an uncomfortable experience, particularly when the person responsible is someone they know or depend on. Some may remain silent because of fear, shame, threats or concern that adults will not believe them. As such families must create conditions in which children can speak without fear of punishment or disbelief.
Also important is the obligation to listen and respond appropriately when a child discloses abuse, inappropriate touching, bullying or other harmful behaviour. Such reports must never be casually dismissed as exaggeration, childish misunderstanding or ordinary conflict. A disclosure must be taken seriously, assessed carefully and referred to the relevant authorities where necessary.
Believing a child does not mean abandoning proper investigation or presuming guilt before the facts are established. It means recognising that the allegation warrants attention and that the child’s immediate safety must come first. Delayed or inadequate responses can leave children exposed to continued harm and reinforce their belief that seeking help is futile.
Abuse, sexual violence and bullying persist when witnesses remain silent, adults fail to intervene or communities treat wrongdoing as a private matter. Protecting children requires a willingness to challenge harmful behaviour, report suspected abuse and cooperate with the authorities. Concern for a family’s reputation or fear of social embarrassment must never take precedence over a child’s safety.
Boys and girls must be taught, in age-appropriate ways, to recognise inappropriate behaviour, understand personal boundaries and identify trusted adults to whom they can turn for help. These conversations should begin early and continue as children grow. Teaching children about bodily autonomy and inappropriate touching does not diminish the importance of affection within families. Rather, it equips them with the knowledge to distinguish safe interactions from conduct that threatens their well-being.
The warning that children may internalise distress when they cannot discuss their experiences also deserves serious attention. Emotional suffering is not always immediately visible, and a child who appears withdrawn, fearful or unusually distressed may need support. Parents, teachers and caregivers should be alert to changes in behaviour and ensure that children have access to appropriate psychosocial services when necessary.
The recent cases involving the deaths of Orlando Jaikarran, Keron Latchman and Zi Feng Cao have shown the devastating consequences of violence and the need for accountability. Those accused must be dealt with through the justice system, with the rights of all parties respected and the evidence tested in court. At the same time, the country must examine whether existing protective measures are adequate and what further interventions could prevent future harm.
Child protection is a shared obligation that cannot be discharged through statements of concern alone. It begins with adults listening, believing that a child’s disclosure deserves attention, speaking openly about abuse and reporting wrongdoing. It continues through communities willing to intervene and institutions prepared to act.