JAMAICANS FOR Justice (JFJ) and the Jamaica Coalition on the Rights of the Child (JCRC) say they are pleased that the Child Care and Protection Act has finally been passed by the House of Representatives.
"We have been with the process from very early, the problem is why it took so long - it took almost 10 years - but we have seen it evolve," said Carol Samuels, executive director of JCRC.
At the same time, both agencies see it as a first step.
"The act is the first step in a process... Monitoring and Implementation is what is needed to ensure it achieves its objectives," said Susan Goffe, JFJ chairperson.
The Child Care and Protection Act replaces the Adoption of Children's Act and the Juvenile Act.
Mrs. Samuels said two notable provisions of the new law were the establishment of a registry for child abuse to be reported and the requirement for mandatory reporting of child abuse cases.
In the meantime, the JCRC and JFJ remain concerned about some issues that were left out of the act. The JRCR wants a number of additions, including preparing children to give evidence in court cases without it having to be corroborated by an adult.
The coalition also wants corporal punishment removed from schools and the wider society, expanding it beyond the children's homes and places of safety which are currently covered under the act.
LOCK-UPS WITH ADULTS
Another concern is the 'unacceptable' holding of children or juveniles in lock-ups with adults.
Mrs. Samuels noted that her agency has been assured that its concerns would be addressed through a child advocate,
who will be able to make amendments.
Mrs. Goffe said the civic group concern has to do with accountability, which has always been an issue at children's homes.
"Those who oversee the duty and system need to be held accountable for any irregularities that arise," she said, adding that monitoring of financial contributions to children's homes were also needed.
Mrs. Goffe added, however, that legislation to deal with those two matters was being developed by the Ministry of Health.
Mrs. Samuels said the health ministry should now seek to educate the public about the implications of the Child Care Act and its role in its implementation. The JCRC is currently seeking to do this through a book being written for teachers which will include the act and the teachers' role in its implementation.
