Though there has been a marginal decline year after year in the cases of neglect, it remains the dominant report among instances of abuse from the National Children’s Registry (NCR), a unit in the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA).
According to data from the NCR, 16 fewer cases were reported in 2024 compared to 2023, 5,563 to 5,547, respectively. However, these cases stand out significantly among the other instances of abuse done to children. For example, the incidences of neglect in 2024 were 41.44% higher than that of sexual abuse and 33.55% of physical abuse, which are the top three incidents of abuse.
The issue was highlighted during a Child Protection Workshop organized by the Women, Children, and Adolescents Ministries of the Jamaica Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (JAMU). It was held at the Cardiff Hotel & Spa in Runaway Bay, St. Ann, March 24-26, 2025. The workshop theme was “Child Protection: A Godly Priority.”
The workshop aimed at equipping participants and relevant church workers with the knowledge and tools necessary to ensure the protection of children. The main objective is to have Child Protection Committees at the various levels of the church by the end of 2025.
“The Seventh-day Adventist Church is committed to creating a safe and nurturing environment for all Children,” said Dr. Lorraine Vernal, Women, Children and Adolescents Ministries Director of JAMU. The aim is that the information will be shared, creating awareness of local laws, church policies, and strategies for implementation.”
Zero Tolerance
“We (the church) have zero tolerance towards incidents of violence, neglect, or abuse against children. We are decisive in taking action against such an individual or group by reporting to the police and any other relevant authorities,” Vernal reiterated.
“Neglect continues to be the highest among the incidents of child abuse reported to the CPFSA,” said Mrs. Lesia Bhagwandat-Vassell, Deputy Registrar, CPFSA. “We are concerned that parents/guardians and other caregivers still disregard the children’s care, discipline, and supervision. As a society, we need to create a safe village and community for our children that can assist with providing care and supervision because parents/guardians are failing in their duties towards the children, such as providing for their basic needs and that they are cared for.”
Signs and Effects of Neglects include:
- Abandonment by parents
- Unattended medical or hygiene needs
- No or poor supervision
- A child may be pale, lack energy, or is primarily hungry
- No or infrequent access to education.
“We need to employ creative methods and strategies to ensure that fit adults properly supervise the children. We are calling on the church to actively play its role in also identifying and reporting child abuse to the CPFSA and put the necessary policies in place for Children’s safety,” Bhagwandat-Vassell added.
To report Child Abuse
Call: 211
WhatsApp: 8768782882
Email: [email protected]
Visit any CPFSA office island-wide
