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The Child Protection and Family Services Agency is reminding Jamaicans that reporting suspected child abuse is a legal requirement under the Child Care and Protection Act.
Key Points:
- Over 14,000 child-related reports were received between 2024 and 2025.
- Cases included abuse, neglect, and abandonment.
- Survey data show high levels of violence against children in Jamaica.
- Citizens are encouraged to report concerns through the 211 hotline.
During a virtual meeting on Jamaica’s child protection framework, legal officer Kimberly Blackwood-Martin stressed that members of the public have a responsibility to report suspected child abuse or neglect.
She warned that violence against children remains alarmingly high and argued that policies alone are not enough to address the issue.
Data presented during the meeting showed that thousands of abuse-related reports were filed over the past two years, while surveys indicated that many Jamaican children experience physical punishment or psychological aggression before adulthood.
Blackwood-Martin also criticized the normalization of excessive corporal punishment and encouraged communities to become more involved in protecting vulnerable children.
The agency continues to urge Jamaicans to report suspected abuse and support efforts aimed at protecting children across the country.