Editorial

The protocol establishing procedures for dealing with cases of child abuse, which has just been signed by Agenzija Appogg and the police, is a step in the right direction even if there is still a long way to go. The figures speak for themselves: The agency received 1,200 referrals on child abuse last year, 257 of them involving sexual abuse.

The annual report issued by the former Commissioner for Children, Sonia Camilleri, highlighted several areas where action is needed: Protection of children from paedophiles through better screening prior to recruitment; better representation for children in court cases relating to custody and access; more places for children removed from their homes - who are ending up at Mount Carmel because there are not enough places in Church-run facilities.

Any problem needs to be broken down into three approaches: Prevention, identification and resolution.

A 2000 report by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child suggested an education campaign to combat traditional attitudes to child abuse. Given the life-long psychological scars of incestuous sexual abuse, this would be a good place to start. The abuser's spouse must be empowered to act if there is a suspicion of abuse, rather than trying to suppress the horror of what may be going on, out of shame. Children must realise they need not be passive victims and that standing up to abuse does not mean betrayal of their family. This is why stiff jail sentences are not always the answer: The aim should be to work with the family to stop the abuse and keep it together - not to add economic deprivation and guilt to the problems.

Victims must be identified, through more awareness of the signs and the courage to do something about it. Children are powerless victims and no one can turn a blind eye, pleading that it is none of their business (in fact, most referrals come from neighbours). The signs are there, visible or not. Carers of abused children say they often become outrageously promiscuous, as a result of their low self-esteem. Teachers and professionals dealing with children - whether at doctrine lessons, football nurseries, dance classes or scout groups - must be taught to look out for signs of physical or sexual abuse.

The next step is resolution. It is important for the court to ensure social workers monitor the home situation. NGO volunteers can help to coach families about parenting skills. Perpetrators and victims need counselling.

Ms Camilleri lamented that she and her team all too often ended up dealing with individual cases. It is not enough for Social Solidarity Minister Dolores Cristina to tick off the list of existing agencies. There will never be enough resources, never enough money, never enough social workers, never enough places in safe havens.

Children have a right to be protected from abuse. They have a right to be brought up in a loving environment where they feel secure. It is terrible for children to be abused. How much more terrible to be abused by those who are meant to protect them?

They should not be the victims of abuse but neither should they be exposed to domestic violence (often linked to child abuse), alcoholism, gambling. All these things steal their childhood, their innocence, their joy, precious things that can never be replaced. There is plenty of evidence that many abused children go on to become abusers. The cycle, once created, keeps turning.

This is why the protocol is a welcome move forward. But one step will never be enough.