Roshni Launches Campaign to Address Crimes Against Children in Ethnic Communities
A new charity called Roshni, which means "light" in Urdu, is set to tackle the issue of child abuse being swept under the carpet in black and ethnic minority communities across the UK, particularly within mosques. The charity, founded by property tycoon Ali Khan, aims to raise awareness among adults in ethnic communities about child abuse and empower children to identify and report inappropriate behavior.
Confronting the "Hush-Up" Culture
Ali Khan's motivation to create Roshni stemmed from his personal experience during a meeting in a Glasgow mosque, where a Koranic teacher was accused of sexually assaulting a young girl. Shockingly, the suggestion was made that the alleged abuser should be allowed to remain in the mosque, leading Khan to realize the extent of the "hush-up" culture around abuse within these communities. The lack of involvement of authorities like the police and the fear of bringing shame upon their community prevents many ethnic individuals from reporting child abuse.
Breaking the Silence
Roshni aims to break the silence and challenge the misconceptions that organizations like the police, health services, and social work are only for white children. The charity also aims to change cultural attitudes that make reporting abuse difficult for ethnic minority families due to shame and honor issues. The goal is to ensure that all ethnic minority children feel comfortable reporting abuse outside their communities and to create a safe environment for them.
The Disclosure Initiative
Roshni's first major campaign, starting from tomorrow, involves calling upon all mosques, madrasahs, and ethnic youth groups in Scotland to ensure that all their staff are cleared by Disclosure Scotland against the sex offenders register. Failure to disclose staff is a breach of the Protection of Children Act. Roshni intends to visit every mosque and temple in Scotland to ensure they meet the 21st-century standards of child protection.
Changing the Mindset and Empowering Children
Roshni not only focuses on addressing sexual abuse but also aims to educate children about appropriate boundaries and behavior for adults. The charity's long-term goal is to empower all ethnic minority children and eradicate the culture of shame and silence that prevents victims from speaking out. Roshni also plans to campaign against the ease with which convicted abusers can simply move to another region in the UK and continue working with young people.
A Critical Partnership
Ali Khan emphasizes the importance of a critical partnership with faith leaders to ensure child protection measures are implemented within Scotland's faith communities. Roshni's plan is to visit all places of worship, schools of worship, and religious organizations to ensure that they understand their responsibilities under statute and comply with Disclosure Scotland. The charity is committed to providing support and assistance to aid in the disclosure process.
Child abuse remains a prevalent issue worldwide, regardless of religion or culture. Roshni's initiative is a crucial step towards protecting all children, irrespective of their ethnic background or faith, and shining a light on the issue of abuse taking place within ethnic communities. Together, we can work to ensure the safety and well-being of all children across Scotland.