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Superintendent Leighton Grey and Detective Corporal Diana Grant
The St. Catherine South Police have reported a reduction in missing persons cases so far this year, in comparison with last year.
Acting Superintendent Leighton Grey, Commanding Officer for the Division, revealed on Friday that, up to May 15 this year, 59 people have been reported missing, compared with 87 for the corresponding period last year.
He said, of those reported missing, 34 were children, including one boy and 33 girls. In contrast, 58 children were reported missing up to May 15 last year, a reduction of 41 per cent.
Superintendent Grey attributed a significant number of missing children returning home to the combined efforts of parents and the police.
Detective Corporal Diana Grant added that, in many cases, children reported missing have run away in a bid to escape abuse and neglect.
She cited several other major reasons behind children—particularly girls aged 12 to 16—going missing.
Some are being "lured or groomed online" and go missing to visit friends "with whom they are having intimate relationships," she said.
She also cited "peer pressure and academic pressure, psychological or sexual abuse."
These children are often drawn into criminal activities and sexual exploitation once they disappear from home, she said, in addition to loss of education, homelessness and psychological trauma, which causes anxiety, depression and PTSD."
She noted as well that they are often exposed to the risk of being infected with HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.
The police are reminding the public that harbouring a missing child is an offence.
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