Mission

To provide a co-ordinated approach for the management and support of children suspected to have been abused, by providing access to complete healthcare.

Overview

Child Abuse, particularly of a sexual nature, is difficult to discuss. Oftentimes, we are uncomfortable with the emotions that abuse brings out. However, to protect our children, we must be educated about the facts and be able to handle even this difficult topic with sensitivity to those involved. The SCAN (Suspected Child Abuse & Neglect) Programme was initially established in response to meet the needs of children and families who experience the crisis of abuse.

This programme was, specifically, the brain-child of Gloria Gardiner, the supervisor in charge of School Health Services at that time. She observed the increase in the incidences of sexual molestation in school-age children and brought it to the Ministry’s attention. In September 1998, a multi-disciplinary meeting was held to discuss and propose solutions to the problem of an increasing number of children diagnosed with sexual abuse. It was agreed that there was an urgent need for a hospital-based child abuse and neglect team.

As a result, the SCAN Programme was established in May 1999 and the Paediatric/Adolescent protocol was implemented and remains in the pilot phase, with ongoing monitoring and pending evaluation.

The programme is evidence-based, and has since evolved to become the Ministry of Health’s National Strategic Programme for both child abuse prevention and management. It is made up of a team of dedicated and committed healthcare professionals who work closely with children and adolescents and their families. SCAN provides a link between agencies that advocate for children. Such agencies include: Social Service/Child Protective Services, Police/CID Forensics, Health Social Services, Crisis Centre, Adolescent Health Centre, Accident and Emergency, Children’s Ward, Ministry of Education, Psychological Services, Attorney General’s Office and a number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

The SCAN Team also offers care, support and specific skills to help prevent future abuse to children and adolescents who may have been abused. They work with professionals from various agencies, both governmental and non-governmental, such as the hospitals, community clinics, police, schools and Social Services.

Objectives

1. To develop, pilot and evaluate a protocol for the management of children suspected to have been abused. See protocol.
2. To arrange prompt medical, psychological and legal services for these children and their families.
3. To co-ordinate community services geared toward helping for abused children.
4. To facilitate the coordination of community services for the follow-up of abused children and their families.
5. To liaise with forensic, police and judiciary services.
6. To develop a community education programme.
7. To develop services in the Family Islands.
8. To maintain up-to-date statistics on children seen at the Princess Margaret Hospital, their management and follow-up.
9. To develop survey tools to assess knowledge, attitude and practices regarding child abuse.
10. To ensure ongoing training for childcare providers regarding child abuse.

Co-ordinator

Althea Neilly

Althea Neilly is a Registered Nurse specializing Psychiatry. She is a certified Addiction Counsellor and a Nurse Examiner for Sexual Forensics.

Neilly has more than 28 years of experience, having also worked at Sandilands Rehabilitation Centre.

Neilly has been the Co-ordinator for SCAN Unit for more than 10 years, since the programme started in 1999.

For more information, please contact:

The Department of Public Health
Poncianna Hill Building
Meeting Street,
P. O. Box N-3730
Nassau, N.P.
The Bahamas
Tel. (242) 502-4700
Fax.(242) 502-4874
Opening hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday to Friday, except public holidays