A YEAR IN
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
SUMMARY REPORT
2010
A child receives nutrition at a health initiative in Anse-a-Pitres
3
GOOD REASONS
OUR PRIORITIES
why Plan works in Dominican Republic
in Dominican Republic
• A quarter of children do not go to primary school
• Helping children, families and communities to know, claim and enjoy their rights to education, healthcare and more
• Ten per cent of children aged 5–14 work B A H A M A S
• Violence and abuses such as child labour, trafficking and sexual exploitation are widespread
• Making public institutions more responsive to children’s rights • Promoting peaceful co-existence between the people of the Dominican Republic and Haiti
‘Going through something like this case in the courts here is very difficult, but there was always someone from the network there’
A community network makes a stand on violence toward women and children
CUBA Puerto Plata
Dominican Republic Facts Capital city: Santo Domingo Population: 9.6 million Languages: Spanish Climate: Tropical JAMAICA Economy: The Dominican
Republic has enjoyed strong GDP growth since 2005 and continued to post sound gains through mid-2008. The global recession, however, had a significant impact on
GDP growth in the latter half of the year as tourism and remittances, two of the Dominican Republic’s most important economic contributors, showed signs of slowing. The economy is highly dependent upon the US, the destination for about two-thirds of Dominican Republic exports.
Santiago HAITI
Bonao
Elias Piña San Juan Pedernales Pedernales
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC Country Office Program Units
Azua Barahona
Santo Domingo
Focus on:
community solidarity We support children, families and communities to solve their problems, and help them to demand that public institutions guarantee their rights and provide good services. We carry out education, health and economic development projects to improve life for children and families. Physical, sexual and emotional abuse is widespread and children’s rights are not widely
respected or prioritised. Plan encourages communities and the government to put children’s rights into practice, and raises awareness of their need for protection. We encourage good treatment of children at home and at school, and support local networks involved in child protection.
Seeking Justice In May 2008, Sofia, from Azua province in the south of the Dominican Republic, made the horrifying discovery that her daughter had been abused. Sofia remembers just how she felt when she discovered the abuse. ‘I was desperate; I didn’t know what to do.’
Worse followed when she found out the identity of her daughter’s abuser, and had to fight to bring him to justice. Sofia believes that the support of Plan’s partner REDAVI was crucial in helping her get through this traumatic time and deal with a very challenging and emotional legal case. Needing help ‘I immediately went to the prosecutor’s office of my town to file charges.’ Finding out what had actually happened, she felt her world was crumbling. ‘My eight-year-old daughter had been sexually abused by a 48-year-old man – an official at the prosecutor’s office.’ Sofia’s daughter is one of many abused children. The Dominican Republic Government estimates that half of children are victims of some form of abuse, with most abusers being family members or close friends. However, abuse is under-reported because of traditional beliefs that family problems should be dealt with inside the family. Few cases reach court due to embarrassment, lack of economic resources, or lack of knowledge regarding available legal assistance. ‘We were told there was “insufficient evidence” to support the case, and I wanted to die. I needed help, and heard about REDAVI.’ REDAVI is a great example of the kind of local partner organisation Plan works with: a network of organisations that promote children’s and women’s rights, prevent violence against them and respond to cases of violence and mistreatment. Plan helped to set up the network and supports its work. Finding REDAVI changed things for Sofia. ‘From the moment I approached REDAVI I have not been alone. I am very grateful for their solidarity. Along the way I felt many people abandoned us, and I don’t want to recall how many times I cried out of helplessness. These long months have been desperate for my family and me.’
Produced for Dominican Republic by Plan International Australia.
Although the Dominican Republic has strong laws to guarantee children’s rights, in practice these laws are sometimes ignored, not widely known, or not put into practice because of lack of resources. ‘Going through something like this case in the courts here is very difficult,’ says Sofia, ‘but there was always someone from the network there. Their support, along with Plan, gave me strength.’ A constant support ‘They were present at the hearings in San Cristóbal [100 km away] and during the appeals process. Their lawyers reviewed the case, provided better evidence, and advised us on how to speak and what to say throughout the case. They provided psychologists for my daughter and me, and funds for our transportation, which often included long trips.’ ‘The legal case was a battle that lasted 11 months. Through REDAVI’s support, the case was reopened. I believe the fact that it was involved influenced the decision of the judges, and made the process more efficient, and faster. I also feel that the five-year sentence that my daughter’s rapist received is because of REDAVI’s support.’ Keeping hope alive ‘I knew that with REDAVI monitoring the case, the outcome would be positive. I never lost hope. They supported me although none of them even knew my daughter.’ Sadly, Sofia’s ordeal isn’t over yet, but she can count on strong support: ‘The accused filed an appeal and I am going to carry on. REDAVI accompanied me throughout the entire case and I know they will continue with me.’ For Sofia, REDAVI’s support made all the difference, and she is keen that others affected by abuse can benefit from it too: ‘I think that now people know that they have support in Azua, the network must continue. It allows us to have greater security in society.’
Some names have been changed for child protection and privacy reasons.
A school campaign run as part of the global Learn without Fear campaign
The Bigger Picture Plan is working with children, families and communities to find sustainable solutions to the challenges in the Dominican Republic. We have only given you a small insight into Plan’s work in the Dominican Republic with this report but over the past year we also: • Launched the Learn without Fear campaign against violence in 60 schools • Helped four vulnerable rural communities to be better prepared to reduce the impact of flooding and hurricanes, benefiting 11,790 people • Supported 692 families with community savings and loans groups, and trained 253 young people in setting up and running small businesses • 3000 Dominican and Haitian children took part in three sports and cultural exchanges, promoting fellowship and challenging prejudice Your support as a sponsor is crucial to achieving these results. With the resources provided by sponsors, Plan expertise and the collaboration of communities and local partners we are making a big difference to the lives of people in the Dominican Republic. Thank you for your involvement!
To learn more about Plan’s work in Dominican Republic visit plan.org.au/ourwork/ southernamerica/dominicanrepublic
‘Half of Dominican children are victims of some form of abuse, with most abusers being family members or close friends.’