Regulate Public Playing of Explicit Songs in Dominica to Protect Our Children
Regulate Public Playing of Explicit Songs in Dominica to Protect Our Children
The Issue
As a torch bearer against Domestic Violence, it deeply saddens me to witness explicit music being publicly played in the heart of Roseau and on village streets. This exposure is not limited to adults but extends to our innocent children, who are subjected to these adult themes through the airwaves. The public playing of explicit songs can be seen as a form of sexual grooming that may lead to an increase in child sexual abuse, teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, rape and other forms of violence against women and children.
Music is a powerful cultural tool that significantly influences the behavior of our young people. When this influence becomes negative due to explicit content, it unconsciously shapes their perception towards sexuality and relationships in harmful ways.
Accordingly, it is crucial for us as responsible citizens and parents to take action against this issue. We need laws that regulate the public playing of explicit songs especially where they can be heard by minors. Such regulation will help protect our children from early exposure to adult themes which they are not psychologically equipped yet to understand or handle.
A campaign was mounted in January 2023 laying out the afore mention points in a letter sent from Defreitas Defreitas & Johnson on behalf of five (5) concerned citizens along with their supporters, to the Minister of National Security and Legal Affairs, the AG, DPP (Ag) and Chief of Police. To date no response was received. In the meantime, while our public servants fail to address the issue our children are getting hurt and compromised.
Recently, I enquired from a parent whose six (6) year old child we trained on Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) Prevention last summer. He smiled and said she wears her badge "If you touch, I will tell" proudly and in fact she told on two (2) of her male classmates who were sexually molesting some girls in school. Ministry of education officials, parents and school admin were involved to address this issue. Let's step away from this re-active culture and look at the root cause of the problem. What environment were these young boys exposed to bring out such inappropriate behavior? They themselves could be victims of Child Sexual Abuse. Did their parents see that? I don't think so based on the merciless whooping the boys received. Breaking that cycle of abuse starts with me and you!
By signing this petition you will support legal action against those who irresponsibly play explicit music in public places within earshot of minors. Please note that the issue is not only "Nasty Business" music, which is bouyon specifically. There are offending songs in dancehall, R&B, RAP and other genres. So let's work together for a safer environment for our children where their innocence is preserved until they are mature enough for such topics. We need your support in urging the authorities to take this issue seriously before it further erodes our cultural values and puts more lives at risk. Please sign this petition today!
It should not hurt to be a child Rising Rose Speaks up!!
Debra Charles-Mark,
Founder/Executive Director,
Caribbean Movement For Peace and Healing (CMPH)
899
The Issue
As a torch bearer against Domestic Violence, it deeply saddens me to witness explicit music being publicly played in the heart of Roseau and on village streets. This exposure is not limited to adults but extends to our innocent children, who are subjected to these adult themes through the airwaves. The public playing of explicit songs can be seen as a form of sexual grooming that may lead to an increase in child sexual abuse, teenage pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, rape and other forms of violence against women and children.
Music is a powerful cultural tool that significantly influences the behavior of our young people. When this influence becomes negative due to explicit content, it unconsciously shapes their perception towards sexuality and relationships in harmful ways.
Accordingly, it is crucial for us as responsible citizens and parents to take action against this issue. We need laws that regulate the public playing of explicit songs especially where they can be heard by minors. Such regulation will help protect our children from early exposure to adult themes which they are not psychologically equipped yet to understand or handle.
A campaign was mounted in January 2023 laying out the afore mention points in a letter sent from Defreitas Defreitas & Johnson on behalf of five (5) concerned citizens along with their supporters, to the Minister of National Security and Legal Affairs, the AG, DPP (Ag) and Chief of Police. To date no response was received. In the meantime, while our public servants fail to address the issue our children are getting hurt and compromised.
Recently, I enquired from a parent whose six (6) year old child we trained on Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) Prevention last summer. He smiled and said she wears her badge "If you touch, I will tell" proudly and in fact she told on two (2) of her male classmates who were sexually molesting some girls in school. Ministry of education officials, parents and school admin were involved to address this issue. Let's step away from this re-active culture and look at the root cause of the problem. What environment were these young boys exposed to bring out such inappropriate behavior? They themselves could be victims of Child Sexual Abuse. Did their parents see that? I don't think so based on the merciless whooping the boys received. Breaking that cycle of abuse starts with me and you!
By signing this petition you will support legal action against those who irresponsibly play explicit music in public places within earshot of minors. Please note that the issue is not only "Nasty Business" music, which is bouyon specifically. There are offending songs in dancehall, R&B, RAP and other genres. So let's work together for a safer environment for our children where their innocence is preserved until they are mature enough for such topics. We need your support in urging the authorities to take this issue seriously before it further erodes our cultural values and puts more lives at risk. Please sign this petition today!
It should not hurt to be a child Rising Rose Speaks up!!
Debra Charles-Mark,
Founder/Executive Director,
Caribbean Movement For Peace and Healing (CMPH)
899
The Decision Makers
Supporter Voices
Petition created on 31 January 2024