Anderson

While agreeing there is always more to be done to increase awareness of the Child Care and Protection Act, Chief Executive Officer of the Child Development Agency (CDA), Allison Anderson says the agency has done quite well with the limited resources it has been allocated since 2005 to educate the public about the act.

There have been complaints by children's groups and advocates that since the passing of the act in 2004 the act has not been supported by the education campaigns it needs to bring about awareness and attitude change to crimes committed against children.

"You have to bear in mind that awareness doesn't always mean behaviour change. But I think we have done quite well with the little resources we have," says An-derson.

She discloses that over the last two years the agency has been working closely with community groups and other non-governmental organisations to target all age groups.

"We never get a community event and say no," boasted Anderson.

Work

The agency recently completed a school competition in western Jamaica on knowledge of theChild Care and Protection Act, and has now launched a educational video on the act with partners, the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica and the Hope for Children Development Company. One of the videos: "Man a Yaad ... Lawd" came out of the competition staged in the western end of the island.

The agency will also soon launch three more versions of the act to reach a wider Jamaican audience. The versions will include a child friendly version of the act; an adolescent version, as well as a version for professionals.

"We recognise that there is a lot of work (to be done) because it is not everybody that you can reach," Anderson says.

gareth.manning@gleanerjm.com