In a significant advancement for child welfare services, the organization Girls of A Feather (GOAF) has inaugurated its Independent Child Protection Advisor (ICPA) Programme. The initiative, formally launched on November 20 to coincide with World Children’s Day, establishes a pioneering community-based mechanism to support child abuse victims throughout legal proceedings. Funded by the European Union, the program will deploy specially trained advisors to provide trauma-informed emotional support to minors navigating the criminal justice system.
The launch ceremony featured Fiona Ramsey, Head of the European Union Delegation to Barbados and the OECS, who emphasized the program’s role as a critical intermediary between vulnerable children and public services. Ramsey noted that the network complements existing legislative reforms, including Saint Lucia’s Domestic Violence Act and the establishment of the Family Court.
This initiative follows an intensive nine-month development period, culminating in two months of multidisciplinary training for eight selected participants. Six advisors and two supervisors were chosen from diverse professional backgrounds including law enforcement, psychology, social work, nursing, and youth volunteering. Recruitment was conducted through a rigorous application and interview process.
Training was delivered through a collaboration between UK-based consultancy Lime Culture, which provided the operational model, and local professionals from child protection, healthcare, and judicial sectors. The program has received strong national endorsement from Janey Joseph, Director of the Department of Gender Affairs.
Trainee Stacy Lamontagne expressed empowerment through the program, stating her readiness to translate complex legal systems into manageable actions for children and guardians. She emphasized her commitment to bridging the gap between initial abuse disclosure and secure recovery pathways.
The comprehensive project includes a two-part research study co-led by GOAF Executive Director Chelsea Foster and Dr. Bephyer Parey from The University of the West Indies. This research will evaluate training effectiveness, victim outcomes, and inter-agency coordination. Foster highlighted the program’s urgency, noting that nearly half of Saint Lucia’s annual sexual abuse cases involve children, demanding youth-friendly services to prevent further trauma.
Looking ahead, GOAF plans to host a national conference in 2027 to share program insights, outcomes, and research findings with stakeholders, marking the final stage of this groundbreaking child protection initiative.