Education Minister bemoans thousands of children subjected to abuse

By Halshane Burke    

 

Education Minister Fayval Williams is lamenting the number of children who are reported to have been the subject of abuse and neglect.

 

The Minister says the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) has been responding to numerous calls for assistance.

 

Minister Williams says in the last year, the CPFSA received 13,513 reports of child abuse, with 6,314 of these calls made via the 211 distress hotline. 

 

"Child abuse isn't just about black eyes. While physical abuse is shocking, not all signs of child abuse are as obvious. Ignoring a child's needs, putting them in unsupervised, dangerous situations, exposing them to sexual situations, or making them feel worthless or stupid, are also forms of child abuse and neglect. Regardless of the type of abuse, the result is harmful," she warned. 

 

Mrs. Williams appealed to the public to report all instances of child abuse. 

 

"I say to all Jamaicans, if you suspect a child is suffering from abuse or neglect, it's important to speak out, and you can do so easily by dialling 211," she urged.