DCFS Hosts First-Ever Child Safeguarding Week

The Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development & Innovation, invites the public to take part in the Cayman Islands’ first-ever Child Safeguarding Week, taking place from November 17 to 21, 2025, under the theme “Every Child Safe, Every Voice Heard.” This new initiative aims to raise awareness about child safeguarding, promote a culture of safety and accountability across all sectors, and strengthen partnerships to ensure every child in the Cayman Islands is protected, valued, and heard. In conjunction with the Department of Education Services, DCFS will visit schools across Cayman, delivering presentations and sharing information on child safeguarding, and encouraging open conversations with students about their rights, safety, and the importance of speaking up.

Schools have also been invited to participate in a Child Safeguarding Logo Competition and a Dress-Down Day Initiative on Friday, November 21, where students are encouraged to wear blue in solidarity and support of safeguarding awareness. As part of the week’s activities, the DCFS and the Ministry are issuing a call to action to all local NPOs, community partners, and child-focused organisations to join the movement by hosting an activity, share resources, or spread awareness within your networks to help protect every child, together.

The week will culminate with a National Child Safeguarding Symposium on Friday, November 21, at Hotel Indigo, where key stakeholders will collaborate on strengthening policies, prevention, and early intervention systems for the protection of children across the Cayman Islands (by invitation only). The symposium will bring together some of the Cayman Islands Government key safeguarding partners, including the Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH), Royal Cayman Islands Police Services (RCIPS), Cayman Islands Bar Association, and the University College of the Cayman Islands (UCCI) to address child protection challenges and build stronger systems of support for children. Mrs. Diahann Gordon-Harrison, Children’s Advocate from the Office of the Children’s Advocate of Jamaica, will deliver the Keynote Address, sharing regional insights and best practices in child protection and advocacy. The Symposium will also feature remarks from the. Acting Governor Hon. Franz Manderson, and Minister for Social Development & Innovation, Hon. Isaac Rankine, emphasising the Cayman Islands Government’s highest level of commitment to child safeguarding and the protection of every child.

Director of DCFS, Mrs. Paulinda Mendoza-Williams, stated:
“Child safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. This week is about empowering children, families, and communities with the knowledge and tools they need to keep every child safe. By working together, we can build a culture of care, vigilance, and accountability.”

Minister for Social Development & Innovation, Hon. Isaac Rankine, added:
“This marks a historic first for the Cayman Islands—a unified national effort focused solely on safeguarding our children. We invite every organisation, every school, and every community partner to be part of this mission to ensure every child is safe and every voice is heard.”                      

To learn more, tune in to Radio Cayman for two special broadcasts:

• Friday, November 14 (1–2 p.m.) – Talk Today with representatives from DCFS, and Dr. Sylvia Wilks from the Cayman Islands Youth Development Consortium, discussing upcoming activities and how the public can get involved.
• Monday, November 17 (7:30am–8:30am) – For the Record with the Minister of Social Development & Innovation and DCFS, highlighting the importance of child safeguarding and the Cayman Islands’ first-ever Child Safeguarding Week.

Child Safeguarding Week also aligns with several important international observances — the UN’s World Day for the Prevention of and Healing from Child Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Violence on November 18, the World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse on November 19, and World Children’s Day on November 20 — reinforcing our collective commitment to protecting, empowering, and upholding the rights and wellbeing of every child.

For more information, or to learn how your organisation can participate, contact the Department of Children and Family Services at dcfs@gov.ky or call (345)949-0290.

Together, let’s make the Cayman Islands a safer place for every child.