Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter
Mary Clarke, Children's Advocate.
The absence of the children's registry is preventing the court from prosecuting persons for failing to report abuses against children, says Resident Magistrate Paula Blake Powell, the chairman of the Eastern Circuit of Children's Courts.
Mandated by the Child Care and Protection Act (CCPA) 2004, the Children's Registry's role is to receive information supplied by persons who suspect that a child has been, or is in danger of being abandoned, neglected, physically or sexually ill-treated, or is in need of care and protection.
The penalty for not making a report is a maximum fine of $500,000 or six months in prison or both.
"I am very concerned because one of the benefits from the (Child Care) Act is not being enjoyed because of the absence of the registry," Resident Magistrate Blake Powell told The Gleaner Monday night, following a Children's Forum held at the Grace Missionary Church in St. Andrew.
The registry is not up and running because the necessary regulations are not ready.
The RM also pointed out that there was a need for a registry for offenders as she has seen numerous cases of repeated sex offenders.
"I am waiting with bated breath because we need the registry to reap the full benefit of the Act," she said.
Meanwhile, Children's Advocate Mary Clarke also called for the establishment of a registry for sex offenders, noting that this was one of the ways in which children can be protected from sexual predators.
"We need to protect our children from abuse. We need to report the abusers. Let's stop hiding them," Mrs. Clarke urged those who turned out to commemorate Universal Children's Day.
Pointing out that there were several cases where children were abused and afraid to tell parents, Mrs. Clarke urged caregivers to develop a safe and comfortable relationship with their children, so they can tell them when things happen to them.
On average, 14,000 cases of abuse or need for assistance are referred to the Child Development Agency each year.
