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 has announced.

The initiative comes after Turner revealed that the Family and Social Services Division has recorded more than 105 reports of child abuse so far this year, describing the figure as a troubling indicator of the challenges facing families and communities.

Speaking on the issue in a Facebook statement, Turner said the country must confront the realities of child sexual abuse more openly, including how predators groom and manipulate victims and how communities can better identify warning signs.

He said the upcoming town hall meetings will be divided into four geographic zones to ensure broad national participation. The sessions are expected to include discussions on child protection strategies, early detection of abuse, and the role of families, schools, churches, and sports organisations in safeguarding children.

Turner said the initiative is intended to spark a national conversation that goes beyond Parliament and the courts, reaching into every community across the country.

He added that silence allows abuse to continue, while education and awareness are critical tools in prevention and protection.

The minister, who said his experience in social services has reshaped his perspective despite coming from a background in architecture and construction, pledged continued commitment to child protection efforts regardless of his future in public office.

Turner said every child in Antigua and Barbuda deserves to grow up in safety and dignity, free from abuse, and that society must do more to meet that responsibility.