It is with profound sadness and a very heavy heart that I address the people of Dominica following the tragic developments in the search for 16-year-old Jerbia Paul.
For almost three weeks, Jerbia’s disappearance has weighed heavily on our nation. Her family waited, searched, and hoped. Communities shared information and appeals, and many Dominicans joined in the hope that this young girl would be found and returned safely to those who love her.
Today, that hope has been replaced by immense grief following the report by the police of the identification of the body of Jerbia in the Capuchin area. At this extraordinarily difficult time, I extend my deepest sympathy, prayers, and solidarity to Jerbia’s family, friends, and all those who have been affected by this tragedy.
As Minister of State with special responsibility for Seniors Security; Children at Risk; Gender Affairs; and Persons with Disabilities, I am also compelled to speak to the wider concern that this tragedy has once again brought sharply into focus: the safety and protection of our girls and young women.
Sexual abuse, sexual exploitation and violence against girls and women must never be normalized, excused, concealed or met with silence.
No child should have to live in fear of an adult who should be protecting her. No young girl should be groomed, exploited or abused by someone who takes advantage of her age, vulnerability, trust or circumstances. And no family should have to endure the anguish of wondering whether more could have been done to protect their child.
We must reject the dangerous attitudes that place responsibility on girls for the behaviour of adults. A child cannot be blamed for being exploited. Adults have a responsibility to protect children, not prey upon their vulnerability.
This responsibility belongs to all of us.
Parents and guardians must remain engaged in the lives of their children and pay attention when behaviour, relationships or circumstances suddenly change. Communities must not look the other way when there are warning signs of abuse or exploitation. Teachers, health professionals, social workers, churches, youth organizations and other institutions that interact with children must continue to recognize and report concerns. And those who know or suspect that a child is being abused must understand that silence can leave that child exposed to further harm.
We must also speak directly to the men and adults in our society: there can be no justification for the sexual exploitation of a child. Age, authority, money, gifts, transportation, accommodation, influence or emotional manipulation must never be used to gain sexual access to a girl or young woman. Our laws also place a responsibility on persons who become aware of suspected sexual abuse of a child to report such matters to the appropriate authorities. We must take that responsibility seriously. If you know or suspect that a child is being abused or exploited, do not remain silent. Report it.
Our girls and young women are not objects. They are not commodities. They are children and young people whose safety and wellbeing are the responsibility of the adults around them. The responsibility is on adults to protect them, respect their boundaries and never exploit their vulnerability. They are our daughters, sisters, students and young citizens, entitled to grow up in safety, dignity and freedom from violence.
The Ministry responsible for Social Services will continue to strengthen its work with families, communities, schools, law enforcement and other partners to improve child safeguarding, early identification of children at risk, reporting and referral mechanisms, psychosocial support and interventions for vulnerable children and families. But Government action alone will never be enough.
This moment demands collective responsibility and collective introspection. We must ask ourselves what more we can do—as families, communities and as a country—to recognize vulnerability earlier, to listen when children speak, to act when warning signs emerge, and to create an environment in which perpetrators cannot depend upon fear, stigma or silence to shield their actions.
I urge the public to allow the police and other competent authorities the space necessary to conduct a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding this matter. Speculation, the circulation of unverified information and commentary which may compromise the investigation or cause further distress to the family should be avoided.
Where any person possesses information that may assist the authorities, I strongly encourage that information to be provided directly to the police. At the same time, let this tragedy strengthen our national resolve.
Not one more girl should suffer because adults remained silent. Not one more child should be exploited because warning signs were ignored. Not one more young woman should believe that violence and abuse are simply things she must endure.
We must speak. We must report. We must intervene. And above all, we must protect our girls and women.
To every girl and young woman in Dominica: your life has value. Your body belongs to you. You deserve to be safe. You deserve to be heard. You deserve to grow, learn and pursue your dreams without fear of violence, exploitation or abuse.
The Ministry of Social Services, through its counselling and psychosocial support services, remains available to support individuals, families and communities affected by this tragedy. Anyone who has a need for support is encouraged to reach out to the Department of Social Services and access the expertise of our qualified counsellors and psychologists. We will continue to work with the affected community and our partners to ensure that support is available during this difficult period.
And to Jerbia’s family, I extend, on behalf of the Government and people whom I serve, our deepest compassion during this period of unimaginable grief and pain. May god strengthen you and may you find strength in the support of your family, your community and a nation that has stood with you throughout this painful search.
May these tragic developments awaken in all of us a deeper commitment to protecting our children and young women.
