Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle is urging the Government to determine whether the police, social services and the courts have adequate resources to manage the 287 child-protection cases reported so far this year.
Pringle made the call while answering questions from Observer Media after last week’s National Child Protection Town Hall Meeting.
Of the 287 cases documented, approximately 30 reportedly involve allegations of sexual abuse.
Pringle said the volume of cases should prompt an immediate assessment of staffing, expertise and support across all agencies responsible for investigating and responding to child abuse.
“We need to look at the number of trained social workers and investigators,” he told Observer Media. “We also need to look at access to child psychologists and counsellors, forensic and medical support.”
The Opposition Leader said the review should also examine whether prosecutors and the court system have the capacity to handle the cases promptly and effectively.
“We also have to examine the capacity to prosecute,” Pringle said. “We also have to take into consideration court delays and also the availability of safe accommodation for children who cannot safely remain in their homes.”
He argued that the findings of the proposed assessment should be presented to Parliament, allowing lawmakers to understand the challenges facing the child-protection system and identify areas requiring urgent intervention.
“Government should conduct an urgent capacity assessment and make the findings available to Parliament,” Pringle said.
He added that any deficiencies involving personnel, training, technology or financing should be addressed as a matter of national importance.
“If additional personnel, training, technology or funding are required, child protection must be treated as a national priority in the
allocation of resources,” Pringle said.
The call comes amid renewed national discussion about the protection of children following the town hall meeting, where officials, professionals and survivors highlighted concerns about child abuse and the systems responsible for supporting victims.
This article is based on reporting by Kisean Joseph of Observer Media.
