CPFSA says people don’t need to have proof of child abuse to make a report
Director of the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) North East Region, Carolyn Stewart, has reiterated that persons need not have proof of child abuse to make a report, stating that all suspected cases should be reported the agency.
“People think that they have to have the hard facts before (they report it) if they’re not sure they don’t want to talk, but they don’t have to be sure. That’s what we’re saying; you don’t have to be sure; we have an investigative team; give us the hunch and let us go and see if it is true or it is not true,” Stewart said.
The agency’s team will investigate suspected cases that are reported, she said.
Stewart is buoyed by residents' response along the tour, who are incensed by recent child abuse reports in the parish. According to her, residents appear ready to speak out against the issue.
“The people know it is time to break the silence,” she said. “The people know that if they don’t, the horror stories are going to come out, and that’s what I want to call them, horror stories. The vibes you are getting are that ‘It is time now because we don’t like what we’re hearing.’ When these things come out, nobody feels good about it. It is getting people’s attention now to say, ‘We don’t want these things to happen,’ and that’s why it is important if you tell us.” The CPFSA regional director hailed the support of service partners, including personnel from the St Ann Parish Court, Child Guidance Clinic, National Council on Drug Abuse, Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Community Safety and Security Branch, and school officials.
Her comments come a few days after the CPFSA conducted a drive-through in sections of St Ann, including Colegate, Breadnut Hill and Golden Grove areas, where reports have emerged recently of alleged child abuse, for which six persons are now before the court.
The drive-through formed part of CPFSA activities for Child’s Month, themed: ‘Every Child Deserves Protection’, focusing on St Ann communities because of the reports. The effort was to interface with residents about child abuse and emphasise the need to protect the nation’s children while providing parental advice in the process. Scores of flyers with relevant information were also given out during the drive.
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