Custos calls for transformation to safeguard children

Custos Rotulorum for St James Bishop Conrad Pitkin has emphasised the need for societal transformation and cross-sector collaboration to ensure the safety and well-being of Jamaica's children.

"Many of our children experience insidious forms of violence and abuse, and it doesn't matter the circumstances -- every child has a right to be protected from any form of violent abuse," he said.

"I call upon every Jamaican here at home and in the diaspora [to] let us rise up, be united, and rid our communities and our nation of the scourge of child abuse and violence against children," Pitkin charged.

He was speaking during a solemn devotional exercise at Corinaldi Primary School in Montego Bay last Friday, in observance of the National Day of Mourning, paying homage to the countless innocent children who have suffered abuse and lost their lives as a result of violence. The ceremony, which began with a minute's silence, was held under the theme 'Save Our Children, Save Our Home, Save Our Nation, Save Our Future'.

The day, which was aimed at raising awareness about the urgent need for solidarity in safeguarding the nation's children against violence, came following the death of eight-year-old Danielle Rowe, who succumbed to injuries she sustained while being treated in hospital on June 10.

The proclamation for the day was read by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, during a ceremony at King's House last Wednesday, and endorsed by Prime Minister Andrew Holness.

Pitkin said the National Day of Mourning must serve as a poignant reminder that the nation needs to work together to create a safe environment where children can thrive, free from the horrors of abuse and violence.

"Let me ask us not to allow today to be just a day of symbolism when we are gathered in this form, but a call to action. A call to save our children, a call to save our homes, a call to save our nation, and a call to save our future," he said.

Education officer Dr Patricia Mumby-Lalor said the collective grief displayed must be transformed into a powerful call to action, while urging citizens to redouble their efforts in protecting and nurturing Jamaica's most vulnerable.

"We live in a world where the safety of our children cannot be taken for granted. Their innocence and vulnerability must be shielded from harm, be it physical, verbal, emotional and/or psychological. It is our collective responsibility to create an environment where children can flourish, [and] where their dreams can take flight without fear," she stated.