UK psychologist to conduct audit

United Kingdom forensic psychologist, Dr. Tony Butler is in Jamaica to conduct an audit of the country\'s child protection system.



The British High Commission is funded project at a cost of $1.7 million.

The objective of the audit is to reduce the causes of secondary victimisation of children, who report allegations of sexual abuse and to improve the quality of evidence obtained during the investigation.

Child Psychologist, Dr. Beverley Scott said she hoped the audit would result in the creation of child protection centres such as those, which currently exist in Cuba, Chile and other countries.

Dr. Scott said children encounter secondary victimisation when they have to recount their sexual or other abuse in unfriendly situations, such as in police stations and even the court houses.

She said the centers, which are like homes away from home allow the affected children to share their experiences in less stressful environments.



Dr. Scott further pointed out that even in cases where children are to be interviewed by the police, specially trained persons should do it or such interviews should take place in the presence of a child psychologist.

The audit is being coordinated by the Montego Bay based Family and Parenting Centre, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), which works with inner city families and communities.