Good day Bermuda,

I am delighted to join you today to share more about the work the Ministry of Social Development and Seniors will focus on during this parliamentary session.

2022 Speech from the Throne

As outlined in the 2022 Speech from the Throne, the Government, in partnership with SafeLives UK, will introduce a Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) model in which all necessary agencies are engaged in a more coordinated plan of action to manage the conduct of perpetrators and provide protection for victims of domestic violence.

The COVID-19 pandemic magnified the unfortunate fact that economic stresses lead to increased social dysfunction and domestic abuse, and family violence in some extreme cases.

A Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference, a MARAC, is a meeting in which representatives from critical agencies share information on the highest-risk domestic abuse cases. Representatives such as:

The police, child protection, housing, health, domestic violence practitioners, probation, and other specialists from the public and private sectors relevant to the case at hand The primary focus of a Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference, a MARAC, is to use all relevant information to discuss options to create a coordinated action plan to safeguard the adult victim and children where applicable. It will also connect with other agencies to manage the perpetrator's behavior.

I am pleased to share that the Ministry of Social Development and Seniors, the Bermuda Police Service, and the Centre Against Abuse, in partnership with SafeLives UK, who are specialists in domestic violence, have already commenced this collaborative initiative.

Bermuda will be the first country to implement a MARAC outside the 270-plus existing conferences across England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland.

At the heart of a MARAC, as defined by SafeLives UK, is the working assumption that no single agency or individual can see the complete picture of a victim's life, but all may have insights crucial to their safety.

Our efforts will focus on a National cross-Ministry and Agency approach to increase public awareness of the damaging effects of domestic abuse and family violence on the island's public health and improve the island's systemic response to domestic abuse and family violence.

Bermuda remains committed to ending domestic violence, and establishing our own MARAC is vital to safeguard our people. It will also strengthen our commitment to the UK Ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

This is growth in a positive direction for Bermuda and on behalf of the Government of Bermuda, thank you to the agencies working alongside us to implement this vital resource.

We understand the importance of all agencies working together for a common cause and goal, as addressing the safety of domestic violence victims requires a coordinated approach.

2021 Speech from the Throne

As we continue the work to progress this initiative forward, we will keep the public informed on our progress.

At this time, I would like to take the opportunity to provide progress updates of previous Ministry of Social Development and Seniors Throne Speech Initiatives made over the past legislative year.

Amending the Senior Abuse Register Act 2008

Initial amendments to the Senior Abuse Register Act have been identified.

During the past year, Ageing and Disability Services, which falls under the remit of the Ministry of Social Development and Seniors, commenced engagement with key stakeholders such as the banks and the National Anti-Money Laundering Committee.

Their focus has been on improving the reporting, investigation, and protection of seniors from financial exploitation within the current legislative framework and using existing resources

The Ministry has also hosted radio and online talk shows identifying solutions to protect seniors from financial abuse.

To protect seniors against the growing prospect of financial abuse, our Ministry is aware that more substantial protection is needed. This will require further development, and the work will continue as we look into key resources such as the Office of the Public Guardian.

Developing a Formal Register of Persons with Disabilities

The Ministry has been diligently working to finalize a consultation paper on introducing a formal register of persons with disabilities.

We have done extensive research on what databases currently exist in Bermuda that collects data on persons with disabilities and on other jurisdictions that have successfully established registers for persons with disabilities.

In 2023, the public consultation will commence. The purpose is to consult with the general public on the feasibility of establishing a National Disability Registry; recognizing the views of persons who have a disability, and those who are

parents/guardians of persons with disabilities and whether they would utilize the registry, is critically important to advancing this initiative.

The Government remains committed to ensuring that all men, women, and children with disabilities have the easiest access to services and assistance for enhancing their lives.

A National Disability Register will assist in identifying which essential services and the extent of the services required by those living with disabilities in Bermuda.

Strengthening Child Safeguarding

During the past year, the Department of Child and Family Services undertook intentional actions to strengthen child safeguarding and reduce children's harm, abuse, and distress in Bermuda.

Some of the work includes:

• The Counselling and Life Skills and Assessment Unit within the Department of Child and Family Services have looked into and engaged in specialized assessment and treatment training for child victims and child offenders of sexual abuse.
• Litigation Guardians were selected, appointed, and trained. The primary purpose of a Litigation Guardian is to inform the court about the child's voice and their professional analysis of what needs to happen going forward to guarantee that child's safety and well-being.
• National Child Safeguarding Committee, which the Department of Child and Family Services is a part of, is developing a National Child Safeguarding Policy that is anticipated to be released in 2023.

The committee seeks to coordinate the Government's response to child safeguarding by drawing on cross-department knowledge, skills, and expertise to develop an effective multi-agency working to safeguard children from all forms of abuse through comprehensive policies.

Independent Living Programme

The Department of Child and Family Services has also undertaken the establishment of Bermuda's first Independent Living Programme for children who have turned 18 years old and are no longer under the care of the System.

This programme will provide housing, intensive support, and guidance to our young adults, so that they may become successful and productive citizens.

I am happy to share the progress that has been made with respect to preparations for occupancy:

• The Independent Living Coordinator, who will oversee the programme, has successfully completed a certification as an Independent Living Specialist with the Daniel Memorial Institute. The Daniel Memorial Institute is an organization that promotes best practices and innovations in Foster Care, Adoption, and Independent Living
• Independent Living Support Staff will be participating in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention for Families (TCIF) training next week to better equip them when working with young people and their families to achieve positive outcomes
• A suitable multi-purpose facility has been identified, and the Department of Child and Family Services will continue the work necessary to ensure the facility is safe for occupancy
• Additional Town Hall meetings have been scheduled with relevant stakeholders and community partners for this week

The Ministry is very much pleased with the work being done to establish the Independent Living Programme and anticipates it will serve our young adults well in the coming months.

The Ministry has also focused on:

• Dementia care services
• Outreach to Non-Profit Organizations to ensure their awareness of their risks and how to mitigate them
• Opportunities to provide a platform for gender affairs
• Human Right Act Amendment to the definition of family status
• The awareness of parents, guardians, family members, and people who interact with children of the services, support, and activities that are available in the community; such as the Nurturing our Nation: Imperfect Parenting Series which focuses on educating primary caregivers and assisting them by providing practical solutions such as coping and parenting skills. This has been done through a series of live-stream panel discussions, focus groups, and a parenting expo.

The topics of discussion have been Boundaries, the Effects of Bullying and Domestic Violence on Children, Co-Parenting and Nurturing Parents, Personal Care and Wellness, and Nutrition and Meal Planning.

The Parenting Expo, which will be an annual event, took place this past Thursday, November 10^th, saw over 30 organizations come together on the Front Lawn of City Hall to provide information on:

• • • Community Programmes
    • Child Development Support and Services
    • Mental Health Support and Services
    • Parent and Education Support
    • Extra-Curricular Activities

Conclusion

Bermuda, the Mission of the Ministry of Social Development and Seniors is to protect all individuals during their lifetime and facilitate their well-being.

During this legislative year, I look forward to continuing the work to ensure that social policies and services are in place to protect, assist, inform, and empower the most vulnerable within our community.

Thank you for listening, Bermuda; at this time, I welcome questions from the media.