EDITORIAL: Concern over missing persons

Given what some are saying is now seemingly becoming a trend, the public is asking for answers, as it relates to cases of young females declared by the Royal Barbados Police Force as “missing”.

There is the view that if the police cannot provide clear answers on what is at the core of the disappearance of many of these young girls, then at least the agencies responsible for the welfare of minors should give some general overview on what is taking place at the level of the home and the community, that seems to be driving the trend. Whilst for ethical reasons, details of cases cannot be divulged to the public, there is a view that there still needs to be some account given by the relevant parties, to indicate what is truly happening at the societal level, to cause so many teenage girls in particular to leave their homes for sometimes days on end, without making contact with other persons in the household.

Some have speculated that these girls are wandering off because in some cases, they are just wayward and “own way”. Some have speculated that the majority of these young females are placing themselves in the company of males who are way older than they are, when they leave home for days on end. Others have said that they are likely running from problems and troubles in their households and in some cases, may even be trying to escape an abusive environment. While there may be some truth to some of these speculative statements, it is high time that we get a general break down, perhaps percentage wise, outlining the possible reasons these girls are leaving home, to find solace and security elsewhere. The public should also be provided with information on the number of girls who have repeatedly left home without a trace, only to be located at a later date and information, if possible, should be provided, on where the majority of these girls do go, when they leave home. The public should also be made aware of steps being taken to address this troubling trend. The aim here should not be to judge or condemn these teenage girls who clearly are in need of some assistance and intervention in their lives, but for the public to better understand what is happening at the domestic level, that is ultimately spilling over to the national level, so we can work to assist these females.

You see, if citizens unsympathetically flip the page whenever they see a report stating that members of the Royal Barbados Police Force are seeking the public’s assistance in locating yet another missing girl, there could come a time when some young girl that is truly in need of assistance after being declared “missing”, could truly meet her demise, because no one paid close attention.

On that note, our heart goes out to all those who have relatives who have gone missing for months on end, without a trace. It cannot be easy to wake up every morning wondering what really and truly happened to your loved one. Our heart also goes out to the family and friends of those who have come to realise that a missing loved one will never return home, on account of the fact that someone has performed a criminal act, which prevents that loved one from ever seeing the light of day again. Our prayers are with those families.

Barbados Advocate

Mailing Address:
Advocate Publishers (2000) Inc
Fontabelle, St. Michael, Barbados

Phone: (246) 467-2000
Fax: (246) 434-2020 / (246) 434-1000