JIS Hosts Community Meetings on Child Abuse Prevention

In light of the recent spate of violence against children, the Jamaica Information Service (JIS), has rolled out a series of meetings aimed at empowering parents and other stakeholders to play a greater role in protecting children.
The JIS has partnered with the Social Development Commission (SDC), to host several of the meetings, which will be held during the months of November and December under the theme: ‘Child Abuse Prevention’.
Speakers will come from the Child Development Agency (CDA), the Centre for Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA) of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) and the National Association of Taxi Operators (NATO). During the meetings, persons will have the opportunity to direct their concerns to representatives of these agencies.
Regional Services Manager JIS, Shelly-Ann Harris, told JIS News, that some of the meetings will be held in schools “to ensure that our children receive direct instructions about safety from the relevant authorities.”
She said the JIS was committed to empowering both urban and rural communities, with the relevant public information that can help stem the scourge of violence against children.
“No effort will be spared in order to ensure that communities are equipped to overcome the dastard problem of child abuse and kidnapping now impacting the island,” she said.
She urged residents to attend meetings in their respective areas so as “to receive important information to help secure our children.”
Mrs. Harris also called on corporate Jamaica to partner with the agency in whatever way possible, to make the education meetings a success.
The first meeting was held last Thursday (Nov. 6) in Nutts River, St. Thomas. Similar sessions are scheduled to take place at Watchwell Square and Balaclava Square in St. Elizabeth on November 12 and 13, respectively.
On Thursday, November 13, a meeting will be held at Danvers Pen Square in St. Thomas starting at 6:00 p.m., while on Wednesday, November 19, a meeting will be held at the Fair Prospect Primary School in Portland, starting at 4:00 p.m.
On Saturday, November 22, a symposium will be held at the St Mark’s Anglican Church Hall in Brown’s Town, St. Ann at 10:00 a.m. under the theme: ‘Communities Protecting Children, Protecting our Future’.