Spotlight on child issues, at CDA vigil

It was a time of reflection and meditation as the Child Develop-ment Agency (CDA) hosted a vigil and concert in recognition of World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse at the St William Grant Park in downtown Kingston on Thursday.

Making reference to information she received from the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), which indicates that 75 children have been killed since October 2014, CDA boss Rosalee Gage-Grey urged persons to be responsible and make child protection their priority.

"It is a day when we reflect on our children, and make it an everyday task to make sure our children are safe. Information from the JCF states that 54 children were murdered during the period October 2014 to October 2015. Twenty-one children were killed in fatal collisions on our island's roads from January to October 2015," she declared.

"These deaths underscore the message the CDA has been pushing that the care and protection of our children have to be a priority. Children need love and care. Our desire is that everyone will take the message wherever they go.

"It is incumbent upon all of us to take a stand against the exploitation and neglect of our children. We must be decisive in our actions to keep the children safe. Our children have the right to be free and play outside without fear," she continued.

Lone Hvass, deputy representative of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), commended the country on initiatives taken to protect the nation's children but expressed concern with issues surrounding corporal punishment.

STEPPINGUP

"We are so pleased to see that Jamaica is stepping up to protect the nation's children. Earlier this week, we saw the gathering of police officers here in Kingston to witness on paper and in practice the Child Interaction Policy, which sets out the framework for positive interaction between police and children if they find themselves in conflict with the law," the UN representative said.

" ... We will [next] be looking at how we can all work together to protect children in cyberspace - on the Internet and other social platforms - against bullying and mechanisms that seek to lure children into situations of abuse," she said.

"Children are protected against abuse by several pieces of legislation in Jamaica. However, we note with great concern that corporal punish-ment remains lawful in homes and schools. Corporal punishment, abuse, sexual exploitation, and neglect should never be a part of a child's life."