Working together to protect minors
ORANJESTAD - Recently, representatives of Bureau Sostenemi visited the Minister of Public Health, Social Affairs, Elderly Care, and Care of Addicts, drs. Ms. Mervin Wyatt-Ras.
Bureau Sostenemi was represented by Director, Ms. Magaly Maduro, and Policy Advisor mr. Ms. Zuhayla Croes.
In 2004, the Bureau Sostenemi was founded to act as an "advice and reporting point" for child abuse, and in 2016, this important task was made law. They adapted the Civil Code and, for the first time, mentioned a reporting point in the Law.
Bureau Sostenemi has five social workers who handle approximately 400 cases yearly. Since 2021, the Code of Protection has been in effect, outlining each step in the process of reporting a case. It is prudent that when there is a case of child abuse, the reporting is quick, and the client is helped. There is room for improvement in the care chain and preventive work.
Representatives of the bureau stressed that the applied method is giving results and achieving the main goal, which is protecting minors.