PM hints at legislation to ban corporal punishment

Prime Minister Andrew Holness has indicated that the government will be introducing legislation to better protect children.

Speaking in Parliament Tuesday, Holness said it is time to ban corporal punishment in Jamaica.

The Prime Minister was reacting to the death of a four-year-old boy after he was allegedly beaten by his stepfather for eating too slowly.

READ: Four-year-old boy dies after a severe beating

READ: Stepfather charged after beaten four-year-old child dies

The Prime Minister said the incidents of violence against children had to be addressed.

"It is full time that we stop hurting our children in the name of discipline," the Prime Minister said.

Earlier today, the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) released a statement condemning the use of physical violence to discipline children.

The CPFSA is urging parents to consider alternative forms of enforcing discipline.

The agency says since the start of the year, it has received 1,465 reports of physical abuse of children.

Just this month, the agency intervened in the case of a two-year-old girl who had suffered multiple fractures from suspected physical abuse.

The police have laid charges in that case. 

“We cannot as a nation continue to treat children with such little regard. The abuse they are experiencing by the hands of caregivers is heart-wrenching," said Rosalee Gage-Grey, chief executive officer of the CPFSA.

Gage-Grey also reported a worrying trend of children being harmed during domestic altercations primarily among parents in the home.

Report child abuse:
CALL:  211 (24-hour confidential reporting line)
WhatsApp/Text: 876-878-2882
Email: report@childprotection.gov.jm

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