Senator Angelica O’Donoghue has called for greater community participation in the national conversation on child protection, as a series of Town Hall meetings is expected to continue in communities across Antigua and Barbuda.

The Senator made the call following the recent National Child Protection Town Hall Meeting hosted by the Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation, where she had the privilege and responsibility of serving as host and moderator.

The forum facilitated an open and candid discussion on child abuse, child protection and the collective responsibility of communities to create safer environments for children.

According to Senator O’Donoghue, the central message of the evening was simple but urgent: “Every child, in every community, deserves safety.”

“There are conversations that are easy to have, and then there are conversations that make us uncomfortable because they force us to confront realities we would rather believe do not exist in our society,” she said.

“Child abuse is one of those realities. But our discomfort cannot become our silence. If we are serious about protecting our children, then these conversations must continue, in our homes, our schools, our churches and, importantly, within our communities.”

Senator O’Donoghue said she was particularly encouraged by the frankness of the discussion and the willingness of residents, professionals and other stakeholders to engage with what can often be a difficult and sensitive subject.

She stressed, however, that the conversation must extend well beyond one Town Hall.

With additional community meetings expected to be held across Antigua and Barbuda, Senator O’Donoghue is encouraging residents to attend, participate and use the opportunity to raise concerns, ask questions and, importantly, put forward practical recommendations on how children can be better protected.

“These Town Halls give us an opportunity to listen to each other, to learn, but also to confront some very difficult realities within our own communities. I want to encourage residents to come out when the conversation reaches your community. Your voice matters, your experiences matter and your recommendations matter,” she said.

Senator O’Donoghue also underscored that child protection cannot be left solely to government agencies, law enforcement or social workers.

“Child protection is everybody’s business. It requires parents, families, educators, churches, community leaders, institutions and ordinary citizens to understand that we each have a role to play, whether that is recognizing warning signs, reporting suspected abuse, supporting affected families or simply ensuring that our children know they have safe adults they can turn to.”

She commended the Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation for taking the conversation directly into communities and creating spaces where residents can engage openly on the issue.

Senator O’Donoghue said she looks forward to the continuation of the Town Hall series and hopes to see even greater public participation as the initiative moves throughout Antigua and Barbuda.

“This cannot be a conversation we have once and then move on from. Let the conversations continue. Let them reach every community, and let each conversation move us closer to the kind of society in which every child knows that they are seen, heard, valued and protected.”