The Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation will launch a nationwide series of Child Protection Town Hall Meetings in response to growing concerns about child abuse in Antigua and Barbuda. Minister Rawdon Turner made the announcement as the ministry moves to address what he described as a troubling rise in reported cases.
The Family and Social Services Division has recorded more than 105 reports of child abuse so far this year. Turner cited that figure as a clear indicator of the serious challenges facing families and communities across the twin-island nation.
In a Facebook statement, Turner said the country must confront the realities of child sexual abuse more openly. That includes addressing how predators groom and manipulate victims, and equipping communities to better identify warning signs before harm occurs.
The town hall meetings will be divided into four geographic zones to ensure broad national participation. Sessions are expected to cover child protection strategies, early detection of abuse, and the responsibilities of families, schools, churches, and sports organisations in keeping children safe.
Turner said the initiative is designed to spark a national conversation that extends beyond Parliament and the courts, reaching directly into communities across the country. He stressed that silence enables abuse to continue, while education and awareness are essential tools in prevention and protection.
The minister, who came to social services from a background in architecture and construction, said that experience in the field has fundamentally reshaped his perspective. He pledged continued commitment to child protection efforts regardless of his future in public office.
Turner reaffirmed that every child in Antigua and Barbuda deserves to grow up in safety and dignity, free from abuse, and called on society to do more to meet that responsibility.
