CHILD CARE AND PROTECTION

"Child Care and Protection" is synonymous with the work of Optimists, which is “Bringing out the best in Children".

This was the topic of the presentation made by the Guest Speaker at our first quarter Zone meeting held on Sunday October 28, 2007. The Guest Speaker was Inspector Grace Gordon from the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA).

In August of this year, during the last quarter convention of the last Optimist Year, I visited a fast food location in Ocho Rios and had what I think was a distressing experience. During my meal, my attention was drawn to an adult male and a young male child. Their interaction, or rather the interaction of the adult with the child came across to me as odd, unfamiliar and unnatural. The interaction seemed sexual in nature. I began to engage my dining companions in a conversation about whether or not they felt the same; all agreed. We were all outraged, distressed and felt helpless (not wanting to wrongfully accuse someone of a crime). The conversation was then steered to what should one do in such an instance? What can one legally do? What is one legally and morally expected to do? No one present had an answer, which made us even more distressed and helpless.

It was with this in mind that I solicited assistance from a fellow Lieutenant Governor in obtaining a member of the centre to address Zone 3 on this issue. During my research I also became aware of the new Child Care and Protection Act, which was passed in 2004.

"This new law applies to parents, teachers, day-care centre workers, doctors, nurses, guidance counselors and other persons who work with children. In fact, EVERY ADULT HAS A RESPONSIBILITY under this new law". (Source: www.cda.gov)

In the Act:
-"adult" means a person who has attained the age of eighteen years";
-"child" means a person under the age of eighteen years".

According to the CDA head, Alison Anderson, while the Child Care and Protection Act identifies the family as the primary source for the care and protection of children, "it also embraces a very important community approach to raising children and protecting them." (Source: Jamaica Information Service (2007). Videos Launched to Increase Awareness of Child Care Act [Electronic version]. Retrieved July 5, 2007).

As Optimists our mission statement is "by providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in kids". As Optimists we are a part of this community approach.

As a Country (as the Caribbean District) we need to get back to the time when it took a “village”, everyone shared the responsibility of raising our children. I remember during my formative years I could walk freely up to an adult to complain that I was being bothered by someone and that adult would respond, immediately. Where is that level of involvement? We need to get it back.

Inspector Gordon informed the meeting of the obligations of an adult under this Act, which states:
"Every adult has one main duty under the Act: To make a report if they know or suspect that a child is being abused or is in need of care and protection. This duty to report applies:
*Whether you are certain or only suspicious
*Whether the abuse has happened, is happening or is likely to happen"

Abuse encountered at the Centre ranges from physical, sexual, emotional and neglect. The National Children Registry and the Office of the Children's Advocate has been established to assist in dealing with these matters. Citizens are also urged to call in anonymously.

This information was not previously known to most of the members present and they were even more surprised to learn that the penalties for falling to report is a sentence of six months in prison or a fine of $500,000.

Inspector Gordon echoed what the members already knew; that this scourge on the society is not a downtown occurrence, but something that affects all socio-economic class within the Island.

As Optimists it is our duty to "Care and Protect". The Inspector, in her presentation, urged us to be vigilant and for the parents and guardians among us to talk more with our children; it is only by engaging the children will we know what is happening in their lives.

If there is a silver lining, the reports of sexual assaults on children and carnal abuse are on the decline.

However, Optimists all, we need to stand guard, stand watch over our children: continue to "Bring out the best in children"; continue our "Child Care and Protection".