OCA initiates study on children who break the law

The Office of the Children’s Advocate (OCA) has initiated a study on the profiles of children who have run afoul of the law, in order to facilitate the development and implementation of necessary and appropriate prevention and intervention strategies.

The findings of this study, the agency has said, is expected to be released during the 2011/12 financial year.

In its 2009/10 annual report, which was tabled in Parliament recently, the OCA noted that while the number of children arrested for major crimes decreased during 2009, it is still concerned about the number of youngsters who were implicated for various indiscretions.  The agency pointed out that 36 youngsters were arrested for murder; 82 for  carnal abuse; and 93  for  break-ins.

Meanwhile, despite a reported decline in the number of major crimes committed against children in 2009, the Office of the Children’s Advocate (OCA) is lamenting that such occurrences remain “very high.”

In its report, the OCA alluded to statistics from the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s (JCF) Corporate Planning and Research Unit, which showed that 1,228 children were the victims of major crimes, 183 less than the previous year.

Data from the Office of the Children’s Registry (OCR) revealed an increase in the number of reported cases of child abuse committed between January and September 2009, compared to the corresponding period the previous year.

The figures, which are also included in the OCA’s report, show that 4,695 reports, representing 9,500 incidents of child abuse, were made in 2009. These figures were 594 and 2,522 more, respectively, as against the corresponding period in 2008. The increase was attributed to the OCR’s intensified public education efforts to get persons to make reports, and “extended working hours.”

The OCA’s report indicates, however, that more data is needed on the outcome of cases, such as arrests, and convictions in the courts of perpetrators, “which would encourage citizens to report suspected and known cases of child abuse”.

Concerns were also raised about the continuous “frightening phenomenon” of the high number of children who go missing each week. Referring to the statistics of the 2009 Economic and Social Survey of Jamaica (ESSJ), the OCA said the document reports that 1,839, or 75.1 per cent of the 2,449 persons who went missing that year, were children, with 1,302 or 70.8 per cent being girls. It noted that only 1,133 of those children were returned or found, with 694 remaining unaccounted for.  Thirteen of these youngsters were found dead.

According to the OCA, the incidence of fire continues to affect children, pointing out that 19 of the 33 persons who perished by fire in 2009, were children. The agency said the number of fire-related child deaths and injuries increased in 2009, relative to 2008. The OCA also reported 12 deaths consequent on fires between January and March 2010, five of whom were children.

In lauding the work of the Ananda Alert system, spearheaded by the Department of Local Government, in locating missing children, the OCA said it welcomed the move to assess advancements of the system, since its inception. The OCA also said efforts to announce the return of missing children by the Constabulary Communication Network (CCN) were also commendable. The office stressed, however, that parents and guardians have a responsibility to inform the authorities when a missing child returns or has been located.

“The police have indicated that children continue to leave home for various reasons, including pressure at home, improper parenting and discipline, looking for love and care, not coping with school work and poverty. The reasons for children running away from home need to be addressed,” the agency said.

Against this background, the OCA has recommended that the Social Development Commission (SDC) be used to mobilise communities to become more vigilant in protecting children.

“This should include bringing to the attention of the relevant authorities and community groups, any suspicious actions in the communities. There is also more need for public education in schools and civil society organisations to teach children how to protect themselves. It is also recommended that there be a national public education campaign on safety in the home,” the OCA said.

CONTACT: DOUGLAS McINTOSH