UNICEF concerned about sexual violence against Jamaican children

The UNICEF report also highlights that sexual abuse is another issue impacting the country's young population.

It says 24 per cent of Jamaican girls between 10 and 15 years old reported being forced to have sex on their first sexual encounter.

UNICEF Jamaica representative, Mark Connolly, is urging the government to prioritise and accelerate efforts to reduce children homicides, strengthen social services for children who have experienced violence, in particular victims of sexual violence, and fully outlaw the use of violent discipline in schools.

He also wants the government to educate children, parents, teachers, and community members to recognise violence in all its forms. 

The UNICEF representative is suggesting the use of alternative non-violent methods of discipline and the better collection of disaggregated data on violence against children.