The Victim Services Branch (VSB) in the Social Justice Division of the Ministry of Justice remains well positioned to respond to cases of sexual abuse involving minors.

Director of the VSB, Dionne-Dawn Binns, says the branch is alerted to cases of sexual abuse against children once these matters are reported to the Centre for Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA).

“We have a very vibrant referral mechanism, particularly with CISOCA, where once a matter is reported to them, it is then referred to Victim Services. We have officers who regularly visit CISOCA and are there for an entire day, so that as the cases come in, they are sent to us, and they are able to even access our services even before having to come to our office,” she said.

Binns added that while cases of sexual abuse primarily come through the branch’s referral sources, reports can also be made directly to the VSB for the necessary action to be taken.

“So, if a parent, a guardian, whomever, recognises that a child is being abused, it can be referred to us. Persons can just walk in and access our services. Then we usually do our own assessment, and if we see where there is a situation happening that has either not been reported to the police or whatever relevant body, for instance the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), then we encourage and assist them through the process to have these reports made,” she noted.

The VSB director also urged parents, guardians and other adults who work with children to create a safe environment for them to feel comfortable reporting if they have been or are being abused sexually or otherwise.

More information on the services of the VSB and the location of its parish offices is available on the Ministry of Justice website, moj.gov.jm; toll free by calling 888 JUSTICE (888-587-8423), (876) 946-0663 or (876) 946-9287.

- JIS