The Office of the Ombudsman (OMB) has opened a child safeguarding investigation into practices and procedures in the Cayman Islands, prompted by concerns about how public agencies have handled several related cases. An own-motion investigation is a formal inquiry launched by an ombudsman, commissioner, or regulatory agency on their own accord.

It follows a public complaint alleging professional misconduct by a police officer in a child sexual abuse investigation, and a review that suggested missed opportunities to protect child victims.

The investigation will focus on the actions of Royal Cayman Islands Police Service (RCIPS), Multi-agency Safeguarding Hub (MASH) and Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and whether recommendations from a 2024 MASH review had been implemented.

Complaint led to wider review

The Ombudsman’s office said the initial complaint itself was not upheld. However, the review of several police case files that was carried out as part of that assessment raised further concerns. Those concerns included what appeared to be multiple missed opportunities to safeguard child victims in a number of RCIPS investigations.

A review of related case files by the Ombudsman raised further safeguarding concerns. Those concerns then led the office to widen the matter into a formal own-motion investigation. The office said the decision was made after it considered the possible impact on child protection services across government. The Ombudsman said the inquiry was expected to test public confidence in how vulnerable children are protected in Cayman.

Senior RCIPS personnel informed the Ombudsman’s office that a comprehensive review of MASH, completed in 2024, identified positive steps to correct some of the existing issues. But it was not immediately clear to the Ombudsman how far those changes had been put into practice.

The new investigation will therefore look at two linked areas. First, it will review what the RCIPS, MASH and DCFS did in relation to the cases that had been brought to the office’s attention. Second, it will review and update the action taken so far on the recommendations contained in the 2024 MASH report.

Survivor welcomes focus on stronger safeguards

For survivors of child sexual abuse, the investigation also represents an opportunity for the experiences of victims to contribute to improvements in the systems intended to protect children.

Leanni Tibbetts, a Caymanian advocate, former Miss World Cayman Islands, licensed commercial pilot, volunteer and survivor, welcomed the focus on strengthening child safeguarding and highlighted the importance of preventative measures that reduce opportunities for abuse.

"As someone who grew up in a stable, loving home with a good family, I know firsthand that child abuse does not only occur in homes that appear troubled from the outside. It can involve people we trust with our children, including family friends, teachers, bus drivers, and even other children. The most effective protection is not trying to predict who may offend, but creating systems where children are never left in situations that allow abuse to occur. A simple but powerful safeguard is ensuring that no child is left alone with either an adult or another minor without proper supervision. "

Her comments underline the wider significance of the Ombudsman’s initiative for survivors and families: beyond examining what happened in individual cases, the investigation provides an opportunity to identify weaknesses, strengthen safeguarding procedures and help prevent other children from experiencing similar harm.

The involvement and perspectives of survivors can also be important when safeguarding systems are reviewed, particularly in identifying vulnerabilities that may not be apparent from policies and procedures alone.

Public interest

The Ombudsman, Sharon Roulstone, said the case raises issues of clear public interest.

"There are few issues of greater importance than the protection of children. Members of the public should be able to have every confidence that child safeguarding in Cayman is handled with the highest levels of professionalism, accountability and care by government entities. I cannot think of a better use of my office’s time and resources than ensuring that the policies and practices governing child safeguarding meet the highest possible standards. The public interest in this is beyond question," she said.

The Ombudsman’s office said the investigation was being carried out under section 11(1) of the Complaints (Maladministration) Act. That section allows the Ombudsman to investigate without first receiving a written complaint where there are reasons of special importance and where an investigation is desirable in the public interest. The office said that legal power had been used because of the seriousness of the concerns raised.

RCIPS and DCFS informed

Commissioner of Police Mr. Kurt Walton has been informed of the investigation, along with senior management at DCFS. Before the formal commencement of the inquiry, preliminary discussions had already taken place between OMB investigators and RCIPS officers. The Ombudsman said the input from those officers would be included in the issues identified for investigation.

At the end of the investigation, the Ombudsman’s findings will be shared with the RCIPS, DCFS and the Governor. The office said preliminary recommendations could be made to RCIPS and DCFS or either body before the report was completed, if needed and at the Ombudsman’s discretion. Once the full investigation was finished, a final report and its findings would be laid in Parliament, as required under the Act.

The office invited anyone with relevant information about the cases or the safeguarding system to contact investigators.