After deeply troubling reports of sexual abuse emerged at the Couva Children’s Home and Crisis Nursery, Minister with responsibility for Gender and Child Affairs, Ayanna Webster Roy, is assuring that the matter is being investigated by the relevant authorities.

Two boys, ages five and six, were transferred out of the home earlier this month after confiding in therapy that they had been sexually abused by a 12-year-old resident at the home.

Minister Webster Roy says she was first made aware of the allegations on May 13th, and immediately notified the relevant authorities. On May 14th, the two victims and the alleged perpetrator were removed from the home.

Minister of Gender and Child Affairs Ayanna Webster Roy says the Children’s Authority has been given the financial resources to implement their legal obligations in the case.

“As the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Child Protection, I assure the nation that we continue to monitor the national child protection machinery. We have identified certain gaps and working solutions have been developed for speedy implementation. In the first instance, the TTPS Child Protection Unit has agreed to conduct periodic visits to all the community residences, especially those with both boys and girls,” Webster Roy said in a statement on Monday.