CPFSA condemns 'horrific' abuse of child by woman in viral video

The Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) has condemned the incident in which a woman was seen stomping on a girl in a video, urging members of the public to report the whereabouts of the child and the woman.

In a media statement on Thursday, the CPFSA's Chief Executive Officer Laurette Adams-Thomas described the incident as "simply horrific".

She said an investigation was immediately launched upon receipt of the video, and the agency is working alongside the Centre for Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse to locate the child, so that the necessary interventions can be provided.

“Therefore we are calling on the public to stand up and do what is right, if you know the child or the adult in the video, call us at 211 and give us any information you may know, or go to your nearest police station and tell them what you know.

"Protecting our children requires an all hands on deck approach from everyone in a child's life - their teachers, family members and church friends, their entire village must be vigilant in ensuring that child's safety. So if you are a part of this child's village, do your part to help her by reporting what you know.” Adams-Thomas said.

She also reminded persons to report all forms of child abuse using the 24 hour child abuse reporting hotline 211.

Child abuse reports may be made through WhatsApp/text at 876-878-2882, e-mail report@childprotection.gov.jm or by visiting any CPFSA parish office, or through its social media pages (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter) @cpfsajm.

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