To raise awareness on all forms of child abuse, the Region Ten Department of the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security on Friday, hosted a grand street theatre, which was held in observance of child protection week 2020. The streets of Mackenzie came alive with drumming as residents and stakeholders joined children in the march.
The march started on Republic Avenue and culminated at the Five Corner with a grand street theatre. There members of the EPIC Dance Group and other participants performed the trending Jurusalema Dance Challenge, which caught the attention of scores of spectators, who lined the streets, cheering them on. They held placards with words of encouragement to the public, to not turn a blind eye to child abuse.
Child Protection Officer Cameal Jeffery, told the Village Voice that the event is an annual one, aimed at raising awareness on the importance of primary prevention, to reduce child abuse and neglect. “We know that they are persons continuing to turn a blind eye on matters affecting children in our society, so we are here to send a message, we want to spread the word, we want to encourage persons that child protection is not just the agency’s business but is everybody’s responsibility, we all have a responsibility,” she said.
The Department has made tremendous strides over the last few months during the pandemic to keep child abuse in the region at minimum and to give as much support to victims of child abuse.
Director of the Child Care and Protection Agency, Ann Green had announced from January to August 2020, the Agency has responded to 529 cases of child sexual abuse with Region Nine having the highest rate of abuse with 4. per 1000 children. Following Region Nine is Region One with 3.8 and then Region Seven with 2.7.
Among these cases was the sexual abuse on a six-month-old baby girl. There however has been a drop in reports from March to July 2020, compared to the same period in the last three years. Child Protection week is being held under the theme ‘Protecting Children and Empowering families to cope with the global pandemic.’
