Digital media campaign launched highlighting the voices of children and youth to end violence and abuse.
Tuesday 13thSeptember, 2022: The Heroes Foundation and the Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago in support of the Spotlight Initiative have launched a digital media campaign that highlights the voices, views, thoughts, and opinions of children and youth across Trinidad and Tobagoon eliminating violence and abuse against children, particularly gender-based violence.
The Campaign leveragesstories and insights from the lived experiences of over four hundred (400) children on what makes them feel unsafe and their recommendations for addressing the problems they experience.
Key insightsinclude:
VIOLENCE AND ABUSE ARE NOT OKAY: Violence and abuse should not be a normalised part of life. While we may see it around us, it is not something we should accept or be forced to face.
VIOLENCE AND ABUSE ARE EVERYONE’S BUSINESS: We have a culture of ignoring abuse or distancing ourselves from violence when we see it, but we have a responsibility to challenge it.
ABUSE IS NOT DISCIPLINE: Parents and caretakers sometimes defend corporal punishment as the most effective form of discipline. Discipline that instils fear or inflicts hurt or harm instead of imparting a lesson is abuse. It’s important to think before you act when it comes to discipline; actions have lasting consequences on the lives of children.
BOYS AND MEN ARE VICTIMS OF VIOLENCE AND ABUSE, TOO: Men and boys are often typecast as the lone perpetrators of violence and ignored as victims, but boys and men are often victims themselves. It’s important to create safe spaces for men and boys to express emotions, be listened to without judgement, and get help when needed. It’s also important to show men and boys how to deal with their feeling and emotions in safe and healthy ways.
WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT’S RIGHT AND WHAT’S NOT:Education and re-education are critical to addressing violence against children and gender-based violence. There are many behaviours and practices which cause hurt and harm that we’ve learnt to accept but are not right. Sometimes we need help understanding when our words and actions are not right, and we may need to be shown how to behave differently.
VIOLENCE AND ABUSE AGAINST CHILDREN CANNOT BE STOPPED BY CHILDREN ALONE: Adults need to know and understand when they are causing hurt and harm to children. Addressing violence and abuse against children must involve re-educating adults on how to support, care for, and guide children well.
Heroes Foundation CEO Lawrence Arjoon with Campaign Youth Production team Tahirah Mc Donald, Meagan Primus, Oba Hyland.
Heroes Campaign Youth Production team members
YOU CAN GET HELP: There are people who can and will help if you are a victim of violence and abuse. Use the reporting channels to get help:
Police:999
Children’s Authority: 996
ChildLine: 131
The Spotlight Initiative is a global initiative of the United Nations which has received generous support from the European Union. It aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.
Campaign content can be found on all social media platforms for the organisations.
For World Social Work Day, we recognise and celebrate the work of these heroes who dedicate their lives to helping others. This year’s theme is Ubuntu – “I am, because you are.” In this mini-series, we explore how this type of love and commitment positively transforms lives.
Case Officers at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Trinidad and Tobago (BBBSTT) are all social workers, because of the core skills and tools they possess to help guide and support healthy mentorship relationships. They work closely with other Social Workers and Guidance Councillors at schools and Community Residences to ensure that young people benefit from the opportunities available to them.
We are grateful for their dedication and support of youth development through mentorship. Heroes is proud to be the host organisation for BBBSTT, an official affiliate of Big Brothers Big Sisters International.
EPISODE 1 – WORLD SOCIAL WORK DAY Case Officers at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Trinidad and Tobago (BBBSTT) are all social workers, because of the core skills and tools they possess to help guide and support healthy mentorship relationships.
EPISODE 3 – I AM BECAUSE WE ARE As we close our Ubuntu series highlighting the impact of Social Workers, we explore the benefits and experiences within the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Trinidad and Tobago (BBBSTT) programmes.
We hear insights from Moseh, a Little in the Children in Care model, and Phillip, a Big in the Corporate Workplace Model.
EPISODE 2 – LEGACY In part two of our mini-series, we continue to explore this year’s theme, “Ubuntu,” with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Trinidad and Tobago. We explore the interconnectedness of people and their environment through their eyes and are grateful for the insights they share.
The Heroes Foundation is calling for a united effort in the fight against Covid-19, and for a responsible and collective response to recommendations, guidelines and regulations being put in place by the government and our service agencies.
The right attitudes and behaviours will help to stem the spread of the Virus.
Thank you, Dr. Jenna Graham, for being a #HeroForLife. Together, we can make a difference in the fight against COVID-19.
We can be heroes by supporting those at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19. Our support, love, and encouragement give heroes like Deon the courage to fight on in this battle.
We’re all in this together, and we all have an important role to play. Thank you to the teams at Broadview Surveillance Systems and the Chaguanas Borough Corporation for being heroes in the fight against COVID-19.
Thank you, Dr. Reisha Seebaransingh, for being a #HeroForLife. Let’s do our part to keep our heroes safe as they help us get better
We’re doing well in the fight against COVID-19, but we must remain vigilant. Thank you to Heroes like Dr. Vishal Basdeo who continue to put country first.
We all still have a part to play to stop the spread of COVID-19. Chris-Tisha reminds us of some of the symptoms of this deadly virus, and some steps to take to stay safe and healthy.
