| Head of the Child Care and Protection Agency (CCPA), Ann Greene, has declared that in order to put the interest of children first, and to protect them,Nike Air Force One Shoes For Sale, the term ‘It is none of my business’ must to be eliminated. This is in fact the mandate of her agency.Her comments came in light of recent findings of child abuse where sources close to the happenings had admitted to being aware of the instances of abuse, but opted against reporting the matter since they were not intimately involved.CCPA’s Director Ann GreeneAccording to the CCPA Director,Cheap Adidas Superstar Shoes, society needs to go back to the days when people were ‘neighbourly’; and activities deemed as “minding one’s business” did not include that of good-naturedly looking out for the interest of others. She said that as long as a situation involves abuse of a child, citizens have a civil duty and responsibility to report the matter.Referring to an ancient proverb with the notion that ‘it takes an entire village to raise a child’, Greene said, “We have to get back to that. We have to be our brother’s keeper. No more can we say, ‘It’s not my business’.Greene reminded of “compulsory reporting” when she noted that once someone becomes knowledgeable of a case of a child being abused but does not place a report with the relevant agency, under the Child Care and Protection Agency Act 2009 that person could be taken before a Magistrate.“The Child Protection Act says if you know of a child being abused,Air Max 97 NZ, you should report it. If you fail to report a child being abused,Argentina World Cup T-Shirts, you could be taken before the court,Adidas Shoes On Sale,” she said.Greene added that not only does the Act make provisions for failure to report, but it safeguards the identity of those who opt to place a report.She said that while the CCPA ensures the anonymity of reporters of child abuse, the Act provides for the protection of those who may be suspected for placing a report.“In the Child Protection Act, it says that if a person places a report and is abused by whatever means, be it verbally or otherwise by the abuser; the person can report the matter and the abuser will be charged. The Act says they go to jail. It is not a fine; it is being jailed,” Greene said.According to Greene,Nike Air Max Tn Shoes For Men Sale, the members of the public should take this notion as all the more reason for any instance of child abuse to be reported to the agency since they are assured protection.The CCPA Head said that reporting a case of child abuse does not necessarily need tangible evidence. Rather, a report should be made on the basis that an outsider has reason to believe “something is just not right (with a child)”.Greene said that the agency is not asking the public to determine if there is indeed abuse.“That is our job. When we come, we will look to find out if it is abuse.”Asked if complaints stemming from mere suspicions would not overwhelm the agency, Greene said, “We prefer that you report and we find out that it is nothing, than for you not to report and then something serious happens to the child. Let us decide whether it is abuse or not.”She said that the number of reports has increased. She said she well suspects that the reason for increased numbers of reports has to do with the improved systems put into place to deal specifically with child abuse, including the provision of the agency’s hotline.She noted too that perhaps the general openness of modern day society has contributed to a rise in reports of child abuse.“People are now more willing to talk about it. In the past, it was difficult for people to talk about abuse; especially sexual abuse,” Greene said. |
