TEN FOR JIPPY was the headline in the November 1, 2008, SATURDAY SUN.

It indicated that the justice system does work and that there can be vindication for the countless young victims of rape, sexual abuse and exploitation. However, despite this too many nuances still remain in this system. It took seven years for this case to be determined and this speaks to the continued glaring tardiness in expediting matters of this nature and the failure of successive political administrations to dedicate a court for children and young people.

In the midst of Obamamania and the fear gripping the populace as a result of the world economic crisis, I hope that Barbadians having read the article took the time to reflect on the process leading up to conviction.

What is even more important in the case of rape, sexual abuse or exploitation of a child is trust. Trust continues through this worker-client relationship as the child repeats the detailsof the ordeal several times over to the police, to the doctor, and under extreme stress and interrogation several times in the court.

Where in this scenario is the victim? The child/young person is racked with guilt and shame and afraid that their identity will be revealed. The social worker's role is vital and does not end at the point where the police are notified. In fact, in order for the police to proceed effectively, the bond of trust must be established and the child reassured repeatedly at every phase of the process. This should be done for every child in the more than 200 child abuse cases.

So what happens in the time that it takes to get justice? Parents divorce or separate because of the stress of family members with divergent opinions, families become estranged, the children who are victims blame themselves and regress, their school work suffers, fear replaces curiosity, self esteem is shattered and without a supportive environment, we lose some of these children to other sexual predators.

Victims and their families lose faith in the police, the justice system and the social protection system and moving on with your life is impossible and hard enough when there is an expeditious resolution.

How are these victims expected to function and be productive citizens coping with a system that they feel has revictimised them every time that they go to court and the case is adjourned repeatedly.

We cannot continue as a society to retraumatise our children with this archaic justice system.

I would like for the current administrationwhich purports Families First to consider the trauma experienced daily by so many victims and go beyond a dialogue to changing the current way of doing business.

To the social workers who continue to ask these victims to trust them, I urge you to also keep the faith and remember that you tend to be agents of change making the journey easier for those entrusted into your care.

Finally, I hope that the young woman's endurance will bring some comfort and faith to those who are still in the system and to thosewho will unfortunately, because of the predatory nature of humans, have to interface with the imperfections of our systems.

I would like to commend her for her tenacity in holding onto truth despite the many obstacles.

The ultimate victory on this occasion is hers and she should no longer consider herself a victim, but a survivor.

– SUZAN YEARWOOD