Sander Dekker
SABA/ST. EUSTATIUS--The safety of children always comes first, especially within a family. That must be clear, both in the European Netherlands and in Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba (BES islands). That is why it will be added to the Civil Code BES that parents are responsible for the safety of the child and that no mental or physical violence may be used in the upbringing of a child.
Paul Blokhuis
It is also not allowed to treat the child in a humiliating way, as is already stated in the European Dutch Civil Code. The bill that regulates the same for the Caribbean Netherlands was submitted to the Dutch Parliament’s Second Chamber on Wednesday by caretaker Minister for Legal Protection Sander Dekker and caretaker State Secretary of Public Health, Welfare and Sport VWS Paul Blokhuis.
This is in line with the administrative agreement on domestic violence and child abuse 2021-2024 closed between the Ministry of VWS and the public entities Bonaire, Statia and Saba.
The law makes it clear that all forms of violence in education are prohibited, such as, for example, a “pedagogical” tap, violent or threatening words, or physical or mental neglect. Grabbing a child firmly to prevent danger, for example, or pulling a child away from a dangerous situation is allowed.
This change in the law is intended to initiate discussions about how parents can educate their children without violence. The bill thus contributes to the prevention of child abuse, which is already punishable in the Caribbean Netherlands under the Penal Code BES.
The Civil Code BES does not apply only to parents, but also to other people who take care of and raise a child, such as a guardian or foster parents, but also grandparents, uncles and aunts, who are actually raising and caring for a child.
The care for a child still remains the responsibility of the parents, even outside of their own home. If parents notice that their children are being mistreated and abused by others, they must take action to stop it.
Refraining from violence in the upbringing of children fits in the pedagogical policy as established by the public entities and organisations in the Caribbean Netherlands.
