‘Enough is enough!’ - More than 15,000 reports of child abuse last year

A staggering 15,068 reports of child abuse were received by the National Children's Registry (NCR) last year, which is the highest on record.

The Child Protection & Family Services Agency (CPFSA) said that about 12,000 reports of child abuse are received yearly. However, the numbers swelled to an eye-popping 15,068 in 2022. Since the start of the year, 4,279 reports were made to the NCR. Issues such as neglect, physical, sexual and emotional abuse are among the most common types of abuse reported.

Michelle McIntosh Harvey, acting CEO of the CPFSA, said the numbers represent a cause for grave concern.

"These abuse against our children must stop. Enough is enough! We are disheartened because our children continue to be victims of child abuse in all forms, and are not given the privilege to enjoy their childhood, which is their right," McIntosh Harvey said.

She stressed that there is simply no justification for the atrocities which are committed against our children.

"There is no excuse for failing to act as an adult in protecting our children. So, I am encouraging all Jamaicans -- every man, woman, aunt, uncle, grandparents, cousins, neighbour and friend -- to exercise greater effort in protecting our most vulnerable, as their safety is top priority," McIntosh Harvey said.