The Teens Going Missing Yearly in Antigua Barbuda

The Big Issues

Every year in Antigua and Barbuda adolescents go missing from their guardians’ homes, and are sometimes unseen for days, often until the police put out a public notice. When the teens are found, little more is said except that they are in good health. In this episode we ask: What’s really behind the disappearances of these teens?

The host is Kieron Murdoch. The guests are:

1. Ms. Naeemah Hazelle, Deputy Director of the National Counselling Centre in St. Kitts and Nevis. Ms. Hazelle has studied sociology and psychology, specializing in gender and race. She has over 20 years of experience working with youth communities in St. Kitts and Nevis in the areas of Health and Family Life Education, guidance and counselling, juvenile justice, and NGO development.
2. Mrs. Feona Charles-Richards, Acting Director of the Family and Social Services Division here in Antigua and Barbuda. In that role she coordinates the work of a number of social services including The Child Protection Unit, The Probation Unit, and the and The Boys Training School. She studied psychology as well.
3. Mr. Ashworth Azille, Principal of the Clare Hall Secondary School. Also a former President of the Antigua and Barbuda Union of Teachers.
4. Ms. Sharon-Rose Gittens, Vice President of the Barbados Association Professional Social Workers. She is a former registered nurse who joined the Barbados Welfare Department in 1999. She studied educational psychology and social work. She is a member of the Barbados Social Justice Committee.

More on this episode:

The controversy that surrounds these cases often stems from the fact that little information about the circumstances of their disappearance or failure to return home is reported by the authorities after the child or adolescent is recovered. So speculation tends to occur. Of course, since the details of what goes on in these disappearances cases is scant, who can really say exactly what is taking place in these cases and with what prevalence?

All the public knows is that from time to time, a young person will be reported as missing, their picture will be circulated in an effort to find them, then they are reported as found. One recurring theme in public commentary on the issue is that there may be older teens or adults who are harboring and or in an unlawful relationship with missing teens in some cases. Because of this notion, many people question why there are not follow up reports of persons being held responsible for harboring children unlawfully.

It might also be that young people flee their homes due to tension and anxiety in the domestic environment. They may be fleeing abuse as well. They might be staying with a relative who is not rightfully their guardian, but with whom they prefer to lodge. The reasons why we have these cases could vary significantly as discussed by the today's guests.

This programme first aired on NewsCo Observer Radio 91.1 FM on December 12th, 2021. Get the latest news from Antigua and Barbuda at the Antigua Observer online.