LaRoda refutes ‘misinformation’: says Social Services/partners will continue all-out push to address violence against women and girls

LaRoda refutes 'misinformation': says Social Services/partners will continue all-out push to address violence against women and girls

NASSAU, The Bahamas - Minister of Social Services, Information and Broadcasting, the Hon. Myles K. LaRoda, Monday refuted a number of the claims circulating on social and mainstream media targeted at the Department of Social Services and its handling of the Adriel Moxey case.

Mr. LaRoda said officials at the Ministry and its various Departments and Divisions will continue to work with stakeholders -- both government and non-governmental - in their push to address Gender-based violence in-country. GBV is classified as a human rights violation.

The Social Services Minister said, since the tragedy, he and his team, along with its strategic partners and stakeholders, have reflected on how they can make improvements to the systems that are intended to protect the country's children. He said the Department of Social Services will also review its protocols to ensure that any potential loopholes or missteps are eliminated and stringent measures are put in place for proper follow-up of cases.

"Over the past few days a lot of misinformation has been circulating, especially on social media. Some have claimed that at some point Adriel was in the care of Social Services and residing in a Residential Care Facility. It should be noted that to date we have found no record to confirm that Adriel resided in any of the Department our Social Service Homes.

"People ask about the village, as if there was no village. This was a young lady who was actively involved in the church, and who had other activities going on in her life. That is part of the village. Those individuals who called in who felt that she was in danger, that was a part of the village, and so we can't throw out the baby with the bathwater.

"Yes, this is a horrific event, and yet we at Social Services have to be guarded in what we say; we don't want it to be pouring on because it's a complex situation as are lots of cases out there.

"The Department of Social Services does not have the luxury to go out on social media to put out facts. We have to be sensitive to all of those individuals who are concerned.

"And so when families are going through trauma, it does them no good, it does the community no good, it does us no good just to put out what may be negative information and so we try to temper and look at the whole picture because the family is suffering enough."

Minister LaRoda said: "Adriel was seemingly in a very difficult situation and while it is easy to judge and say what should have happened, we must realize that this tragedy is much more complex than some are portraying. This is yet another reminder that some families are in crisis and need help. Help that may not be readily available by an extended family and help that may be limited or nonexistent from the community.

"Adriel's situation, like so many others, is a reflection of a system that is stretched too thin and is overwhelmed. The government cannot do this alone. We need stronger, more coordinated efforts to support families in crisis. We need you, the public, to be our eyes and ears. If you see something or suspect something, report it (to the Department of Social Services National Hotline). I would like to note here that while some may say we have done nothing when reports are made to the hotline, we have in fact also had reported cases where we have acted and persons have then made complaints because they felt that our intervention was not required."

Mr. LaRoda said since the incident, he and his team have reflected on improvements to the systems that are intended to protect the country's children, adding that those officials will meet with the Ministry's partners and stakeholders -- the police, church leaders and government and non-governmental organizations -- to review existing protocols with a view to making the necessary adjustments that may be required.

"We realize we will never have a perfect system, however, we will certainly strive to maximize our strengths and minimize our weaknesses. As we do our part, I encourage the village, which is every sector of our society, to come together, not as bystanders, but as active participants, to create a safer and more supportive environment for our children," Mr. LaRoda added.

(BIS Photo/Anthon Thompson)