Shadow Minister, Ministry On DCFS Investigation
What “is going on with the Government’s so-called ‘investigations’ into allegations of child abuse and neglect by persons at the Department of Child and Family Services,” Shadow Minister for Legal Affairs Scott Pearman has asked, while the Ministry said that a “thorough investigation was carried out” and “information cannot and will not be shared about minor children with the public, the media or third parties.”
Shadow Minister for Legal Affairs Scott Pearman Statement:
“Children at the centre of investigations into abuse and neglect say they have not been interviewed as part of investigations into allegations against the Director of the Department of Child and Family Services”, according to Shadow Legal Affairs Minister Scott Pearman.
Mr Pearman said, “In his Budget Statement presented to Parliament last Friday, the Finance Minister, Curtis Dickinson, said that his Government’s Budget ‘must signal to the most vulnerable that they are not forgotten’.
“This is a noble goal – one which all Bermudians will agree upon. But let us test these commendable words against what is actually happening to Bermuda’s most vulnerable today.
“What in the world is going on with the Government’s so-called ‘investigations’ into allegations of child abuse and neglect by persons at the Department of Child and Family Services?
“Despite repeated calls from various quarters, the Attorney General has yet to personally explain, since the suspended Director returned to DCFS, what has actually happened at the Department.
“And no one from the Government seems prepared to clarify who is actually in charge of these various ‘investigations’.
“The outcome of the first investigation – very properly commenced by former Minister Michael Weeks MP – has been buried.
“The second investigation – apparently conducted by an unnamed person at the Department of Internal Audit – will also not be made public.
“So, let me share with Bermuda what is not happening. Remarkable though it may seem, no thorough, proper or transparent investigation is being carried out.
“The lawyer Saul Dismont, who represents several children at the centre of the complaints of abuse and neglect, has confirmed to me that his clients were never interviewed as part of the so-called investigations into the Director of DCFS.
“The first investigation was allegedly concluded months ago. The second inquiry was announced by the Government as long ago as 7 November 2018.
“How can the Government expect the Bermudian public to have any faith in a so-called ‘investigation’ which is so fundamentally flawed that the complainants are not even interviewed?
“The Government needs to treat these appalling allegations concerning our most vulnerable with the seriousness they deserve.
“Allegations of abuse and neglect against Bermudian children cannot simply be swept under the rug as if nothing has happened.
“If Bermudians are to have faith that our vulnerable are truly being protected, then the Attorney General must take charge of this matter and appoint an independent counsel – someone who has the public’s confidence to investigate these appalling allegations thoroughly and properly.”
Ministry of Legal Affairs Statement:
In response, a spokesperson stated, “The Children’s Act 1998 clearly lays out the framework under which investigations are conducted. Likewise, the PSC Regulations Schedule 2 also gives specific guidance on internal investigations. All of which are rigorously adhered to. It must be clearly stated that legally a Minister cannot undertake a disciplinary investigation of Public Officers. That can be done only by a Head of Department.
“Equally as a matter of confidentiality, information cannot and will not be shared about minor children with the public, the media or third parties.
“In order to provide further clarity, here are the facts:
“A full and thorough investigation was carried out about allegations made against the Director of Child and Family Services.
“A part of the investigation was carried out by the Internal Audit Department. In accordance with their Act the only recipient of the report is the Permanent Secretary responsible for the Department under review. These reports are not made public.
The spokesperson continued, “The other part of the investigation was carried out by the Permanent Secretary responsible for DCFS. As stated in a press release issued on 25 January 2019, and restated here for the record: ‘The investigation revealed there was no misconduct by the Director …. The investigation involved a series of interviews with staff members, a detailed review of the department’s practices and procedures, and a review of the financial activities within the Department.
“The Ministry placed Mr. Maybury on paid administrative leave on 23 August, 2018, after allegations from an external party stated that Mr. Maybury had not performed his role in accordance with the Ministry’s policies and procedures as they relate to the care and safety of children in Residential Treatment Services [RTS] and he did not follow Financial Instructions. These claims leveled against the Director were not substantiated.’”
“We have laws protecting children, their identity and undue harm from media probing. To continually subject children to on-going and unnecessary media attention does not serve these vulnerable members of our society,” concluded the spokesperson.
Very noticeably, the Government’s statement simply does not address this:
“The lawyer Saul Dismont, who represents several children at the centre of the complaints of abuse and neglect, has confirmed to me that his clients were never interviewed as part of the so-called investigations into the Director of DCFS”
This:
“In his Budget Statement presented to Parliament last Friday, the Finance Minister, Curtis Dickinson, said that his Government’s Budget ‘must signal to the most vulnerable that they are not forgotten’.
Is clearly rubbish.
How so please explain what the damn budget speech has to do with this?
They forgot about the most vulnerable…
You know I find the OBA’S hypocrisy so funny but alarming at the same time. Dont sit up here and act like you care about the kids all of a sudden when your record on education is one of the most atrocious we have seen. You all cut scholarships and free college for our children then come up here acting like you care about their education and well being. Disgusting behavior really like we all forgot how you took money out of the schools to fund ya boat race and parents and teachers had to provide school supplies for the students under the OBA.
Actually the free Bda college tuition was rolled back by the previous PLP administration. They had to learn the hard way that there is no such thing as free.
Now do you actually have anything to say about this appalling debacle? Does this sound like the PLP care more for the civil servants involved or the children who are alleged victims?
Ps: school supplies are now being supplied by the private sector, teachers and parents while the PLP former leader gets $1.2mn of taxpayer monies for….bet you won’t acknowledge that:)
I really hope the PLP base starts to see them for what they really are. We really need to get these idiots out of office.
Methinks OBA MP Pearman has struck a nerve here!!!
He sang a song of reality . Some of the words said ” the truth is an offence but not a sin ! Jah lives children ……. ….. …. ”
Sins of the elders falling on children failing the next generation ..,
It’s Time to Break the insanity Cycle! Man Up !!!!
Still there’s mold in the schools though don’t see no one kicking up about that
That must be last years problems
Our children have a voice. Let them be heard!! Sadly kids have more integrity and compassion than so many adults do.