The courts in many English-speaking Caribbean jurisdictions continue to be inundated with the issue of Child Sexual Abuse, incest, rape, and similar crimes. These cases pose significant challenges for victims, which are caused by cultural, social and economic factors. Courts are now seeking to appropriately address these issues. Many who are marginalized by the court and legal system in the English speaking Caribbean usually have no where to turn to cope with Child Sexual Abuse. More services are available to victims if they migrate to countries like the United States and are able to engage with the legal system and make their suffering known.

Perpertrators in the Caribbean regions are now being brought before the courts and are feeling pressure to change their attitudes, behaviors or face prosecution, and it is certainly long overdue.

Although this pressure is evident, Caribbean children still face threaten circumstances daily from sexual offenders, and increase consciousness raising must continue to combat these chronic sexual offenders.  Public awareness must continue, treatment programs and support services for children must be readily available.

Cultural, economic, social barriers continue to discourage families in the Caribbean  from exercising agency to seeking assistance when sexual abuse occurs in their homes.  There seems to be a level of apathy and societal indifference towards sexual abuse and toward the courts designed to deter it.

We must repeat again and again, child sexual abuse leaves lasting effects on individuals and the family.  Victims are likley to develop poor mental and physical health. Families must stop protecting sexual offenders from punishment which can prolong the suffering of victims.  Learned helplessness is an after effect where a victim narrows their choices they think will bring them positive outcomes. Those who are not victims of sexual abuse may not understand this , and it can be perceived by those who are not victims as helplessness and poor decision-making  skills. Families and victims who seek out the assistance of the courts,  follow-up with treatment and make  this a conscious decision are able to free themselves from revictimization and the syndrome of learned helplessness.

In Caribbean regions  policy makers face many challenges addressing social problem  with limited resources in  strong patriarchal societies. Issues such as child sexual abuse compete with larger development and economic infrastructure for scare resources.  Deeply rooted embedded cultural pratices and beliefs  also discourage families from seeking relief. GM