Neglect identified as dominant among child abuse cases

Though there has been a marginal decline year over year in the cases of neglect, it remains the dominant report among cases of abuse from the National Children’s Registry (NCR), a unit in the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA).

According to data from the NCR, 16 fewer cases were reported in 2024 compared to 2023 – moving from 5,563 to 5,547. However, these cases stand out significantly among the other cases of child abuse. For example, the incidences of neglect in 2024 were 41.44 per cent higher than that of sexual abuse and 33.55 per cent of physical abuse.

The issue was highlighted during a Child Protection Workshop organised by the Women, Children and Adolescents Ministries of the Jamaica Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (JAMU). The workshop, which got underway on Monday at the Cardiff Hotel & Spa in Runaway Bay, St Ann, ends today. The theme of the workshop is ‘Child Protection: A Godly Priority’.

The workshop was aimed at equipping participants and the relevant workers of the church with knowledge and tools necessary to ensure the protection of children. The main objective is to have child protection committees at the various levels of the church by the end of 2025.

“The Seventh-day Adventist Church is committed to creating a safe and nurturing environment for all children,” said Dr Lorraine Vernal, women’s, children’s and adolescents ministries director of JAMU. “The aim is that the information will be shared, creating awareness of local laws, church policies and strategies for implementation.

“We (the church) have a zero tolerance towards incidents of violence, neglect or abuse against children. We are decisive to take action against such an individual or groups by reporting the to the police and any other relevant authorities.”

Lesia Bhagwandat-Vassell, deputy registrar at the CPFSA, said: “Neglect continues to be the highest among the incidents of child abuse reported to the CPFSA. We are concerned that parents/guardians and other caregivers still disregard the children’s care, discipline, and supervision. As a society, we need to create a safe village and community for our children that can assist with providing care and supervision because parents/guardians are failing in their duties towards the children, such as providing for their basic needs and that they are cared for.”

She added: “We need to employ creative methods and strategies to ensure that fit adults properly supervise the children. We are calling on the church to actively play its role in also identifying and reporting child abuse to the CPFSA and put the necessary policies in place for children’s safety."

Signs and effects of neglect include:

· Abandonment by parents

· Unattended medical or hygiene needs

· No or poor supervision

· Child maybe pale, lacks energy or mostly hungry

· No or infrequent access to education.

To report child abuse:

· Call the toll free child abuse hotline at 211

· Whatsapp 8768782882

· Email report@childprotection.gov.jm

· Visit any CPFSA office islandwide