“Break the silence.”

That’s what a new bus initiative of the same name is seeking to do in Tobago. It was launched on Tuesday (February 26) at the PTSC Compound at Shaw Park.

It will consist of two new branded PTSC buses as part of an awareness campaign.

Acting Permanent Secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister, Claire Davidson-Williams said it’s highlighting an important issue in our society—child abuse.

“The Break the Silence initiative is a multi-prong approach to protect children against sexual abuse and the risk of HIV. It aims to reach victims and their families with a message to speak out and denounce, to break the stigma and shame that surround the issue of child sexual abuse as the first step for seeking help,” she said.

The Break the Silence initiative will also serve as an advocacy platform for policy makers, health care workers, law enforcement and other key agencies. The launch is expected to create more awareness so people will know where to seek help for abuse cases.

Tobagonians are encouraged to speak up and share information on cases of child sexual abuse.