THE EDITOR, Sir:

In reference to the letter written by Juliet Barnaby-Constantine on January 9, the question was raised 'Who really protects our children?' The answer, in a nutshell - all of us.

While there are various agencies established under the Child Care and Protection Act 2004 with specific roles, for example, the Office of the Children's Registry (OCR) and the Office of the Children's Advocate (OCA), everyone in society has a role to play in protecting our nation's children. Too often we turn a blind eye to certain happenings in our society or we might know about specific situations but refuse to 'call names'. The agencies mentioned above as well as the police can only do so much if they do not get the support of the general public in reporting cases of child abuse or maltreatment.

In response to the question 'Who will take our reports and act on them?' please note that the Office of the Children's Registry was established to receive, record, assess and refer reports of child abuse in Jamaica. The reports are usually referred to the Child Development Agency (CDA) and the Office of the Children's Advocate who will in turn investigate these reports, verify them and take appropriate actions. In cases where the alleged perpetrators of the abuse are persons within child-care facilities (which are managed by the Child Development Agency), then the Office of the Children's Advocate, in their role as the 'watchdog agency', carries out the investigations and ensures that the necessary actions are taken. In addition, the OCA should provide the OCR and CDA with regular updates on the status of the cases.

It is important to note that little or no action can be taken if information about the abuse is not divulged to the registry. I wish to therefore encourage Mrs Barnaby-Constantine, or any one else who might have information on these alleged cases of abuse which she mentioned in her letter, to contact the Office of the Children's Registry and make a report. Your report could make a difference and might be useful in subsequent investigations and any necessary corrective actions to protect the affected child.

'Care and protect'

Persons may contact the Registry by dialling the toll free number 1-888-PROTECT or 822-7031 or 878-2882 between the hours 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Persons may also visit the Registry which is currently located at 48 Duke Street, Kingston to give their reports.

Report forms are also available at Child Development Agency offices islandwide and may be completed and faxed to 924-9401 or emailed to ocrjamaica@yahoo.com. Reports to the Registry are held in the strictest of confidence and reporters do not necessarily have to give their names.

Let's all play our part in protecting our nation's children. 'Care and protect not harm and neglect.'

I am, etc.,

CARLA FRANCIS-EDIE

Children's Registrar

Office of The Children's Registry

ocrjamaica@yahoo.com

48 Duke Street, Kingston