Children's Advocate Diahann Gordon Harrison - Gleaner file photo
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Diahann Gordon Harrison
By Clinton McGregor
The Office of the Children's Advocate (OCA) says last year it investigated an increased number of child abuse cases and other forms of physical violence against children.
Children's Advocate Diahann Gordon Harrison says more than 300 cases of sexual abuse, physical abuse and child neglect were investigated by her office in 2022.
She says this is a worrying trend, especially because there had been a falloff in cases in 2020.
Most of the cases investigated in 2022 were recorded in Kingston and St. Andrew and St. Catherine.
Data provided by the OCA showed that neglect of duty accounted for 117 of the cases investigated, making it the largest category of cases reported to the agency.
The second largest category was for physical abuse, with 97 cases or 31 per cent.
Most of these investigations relate to complaints against relevant authorities, such as government entities and/or their representatives.
Mrs Gordon Harrison disclosed that the OCA's Legal Department, which works closely with its Investigations, Inspections & Compliance Unit, dealt with approximately 400 cases involving children in 2022.
These included providing legal representation for children who are before the court in criminal matters, appearing in civil matters on behalf of children, as well as Custody & Guardianship applications.
The Children's Advocate told Radio Jamaica News that the "SafeSpot" helpline, established to help children in distress, received almost 1,800 calls from April to December last year.
"[It] really tells us that our children are having issues that they want to talk about and issues that they need guidance on. Going forward for 2023, we intend to continue providing direct support to children in terms of counselling services, listening air services and guidance to them, through SafeSpot," she said.
Mrs Gordon Harrison warned that this year, the OCA will ramp up investigations into allegations of child abuse in state facilities as well as ensure that "the systems that are in place are operating the way that they should".
It will also provide training and capacity building to child care facilities.
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