ThereSA国际影视传媒檚 a crisis of child sexual abuse in the territory and the government isnSA国际影视传媒檛 doing enough to stop it, says Adam Lightstone, MLA for Iqaluit-Manirajak.

SA国际影视传媒淚n my opinion, the Government of NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 failure to raise its concern over the high rates of child sexual abuse is guilty by association of allowing the victimization of children to continue,SA国际影视传媒� Lightstone said in the legislative assembly on Thursday, adding that NunavutSA国际影视传媒檚 rates are highest per capita in Canada, if not the world. SA国际影视传媒淚 do not understand why our government has yet to publicly recognize child abuse in this assembly.SA国际影视传媒�

Lightstone said he was recently informed by the Justice department that there are more than 600 registered sex offenders in Nunavut, a sharp rise from 500 when he inquired last year.

Premier Joe Savikataaq said the departments of Family Services and Justice work closely with the on this issue, but the problem persists.

SA国际影视传媒淚SA国际影视传媒檓 not sure what the solution is. We know itSA国际影视传媒檚 there and weSA国际影视传媒檙e doing our best to deal with it,SA国际影视传媒� said Savikataaq. SA国际影视传媒淚 donSA国际影视传媒檛 have an answer for the member in terms of exactly what to do to stop itSA国际影视传媒� there should be no child sexual abuse in Nunavut. There shouldnSA国际影视传媒檛 be. ItSA国际影视传媒檚 unacceptable, but sadly itSA国际影视传媒檚 a fact that there is.SA国际影视传媒�

Lightstone said itSA国际影视传媒檚 going to take SA国际影视传媒渆very organization, every department, every individual, and every community to band together to say enough is enough.SA国际影视传媒� He asked the premier if he considers child sexual abuse in Nunavut to be a crisis.

Savikataaq replied that crisis can be interpreted in different ways. He referred to the situation as a problem.

SA国际影视传媒淎ll I can say is that weSA国际影视传媒檙e working on it,SA国际影视传媒� Savikataaq said. SA国际影视传媒淪ometimes when you read in the media that such-and-such a guy got a sentence of this and you look at it at times and say, SA国际影视传媒淲ell, was that sentence fitting or not?SA国际影视传媒� ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 beyond our capability here, but as a government, and ISA国际影视传媒檓 sure I can speak on behalf of all of us as MLAs here, that child sexual abuse is absolutely unacceptable and should not be acceptable to anyone anywhere.SA国际影视传媒�