Minister Rawdon Turner speaking on ABS
The Government is preparing to begin construction of a purpose-built facility to accommodate children removed from abusive and dangerous homes.
Minister of Social and Urban Transformation Rawdon Turner said construction is expected to begin in September.
The facility is being developed in partnership with Team Antigua Island Girls, which raised funds to support the initiative.
“We’re going to have a purpose-built facility where we can house these individuals when we remove them from abusive situations,” Turner said.
Children who are presently removed from abusive households are taken to various secure locations. The proposed facility is expected to provide more suitable and dedicated accommodation for affected children.
Turner said officers from Family and Social Services regularly accompany the police to remove children from homes where they are being sexually or physically abused.
Some interventions take place during the early hours of the morning and require social workers to remain with children while they receive medical attention or are relocated to safety.
The minister said the number and severity of the cases have placed considerable pressure on social workers, counsellors and other frontline employees.
He thanked Team Antigua Island Girls for raising funds to assist the Government in establishing the facility.
The announcement comes as the ministry reports more than 200 cases of physical and sexual abuse against children since the start of 2026.
Turner has warned that many additional cases may remain unreported.
I will keep saying this is the most attention that this ministry has every gotten. I even forgot who had this ministry before Turner
I hope they include therapy as well to allow these children to heal mentally as well.