Suspected Child Abuse & Neglect
(SCAN)
Vision The physical, emotional, socio-economic and spiritual well-being and safety of all children of The Bahamas is guaranteed.
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.
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 organizations (NGOs). <<see more>>
Contact Us
Poncianna Hill Building, Meeting Street,
The Department of Public Health
P. O. Box N-3730
Nassau, The Bahamas
Telephone: 502-4700, Fax: 502-4874 |
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