It has been revealed that since the start of the year 2,200 cases of child abuse have been reported to the Office of the Children’s Registry.
Rashida St Juste, Public Relations and Communications Manager at the Child Development Agency (CDA), says even though the figure signals that Jamaicans are now more aware they have a responsibility to make reports, it is still very unsettling.
Mrs. St Juste says violence is high on the list of threats to children’s safety and well being.
According to the CDA official, young people face many dangers, pointing to the recent spate of suicides involving children.
Mrs. St. Juste says more children are resorting to taking their lives and the society must provide an effective response, as a matter of urgency.