“Stop Violence Against Children”- Universal Children’s Day 2013
…OCA and UNICEF collaborate on Child Justice Guidelines and Documentary
Kingston, Jamaica:
The Office of The Children’s Advocate (OCA) today, November 20, wishes to recognize all our children as we observe Universal Children’s Day. This year’s theme: Stop violence against children, the Office believes is most appropriate, as the incidents of violence against our children must cease.
Children’s Advocate, Mrs. Diahann Gordon Harrison, noted that as a nation we must reflect on our track record on how we have treated our children. “We have heard the reports of children being harmed in violent situations; of them being the perpetrators of serious offences; and of them being involved in morally unsavoury activities and being exposed to bad associations. Indeed, on many occasions we sometimes wonder aloud why so many people are hurting our children and we are concerned about what needs to be done to make the situation right. There is no quick fix solution to this very disturbing reality because the truth is that children live what they learn. Maybe over time, it is the examples that were set by previous generations that have now manifested within our children and we are simply reaping what has been sown.”
Mrs. Gordon Harrison added that it is because of these circumstances the OCA must continue its efforts in ridding society of the deleterious influences that continue to negatively affect our children. “Too often we receive reports of the callous disregard of our children’s rights. As Children’s Advocate of Jamaica my Office will therefore continue to strive to stem the ill-effects of the scant regard of our children’s rights and best interests. It is our vision that our Child Justice Guidelines, which are being launched today- Universal Children’s Day in collaboration with UNICEF Jamaica which provided funding support, will help to shape positively the interfaces that children experience whether they come in contact with and or conflict with the justice system.”
“Additionally, it is our hope that OCA’s partnership with UNICEF Jamaica to produce the documentary: Our Children At Risk: Motherhood in Childhood, will also assist our efforts in widening public knowledge about the sexual abuse of our girls, and the cruel premature ushering of these children into motherhood. We are confident that by viewing this documentary, members of the public will be further encouraged to speak out and report child abuse,” The Children’s Advocate added.
The documentary will be aired on Wednesday, November 20 on TVJ at 9:30 p.m. and on CVM at 10:00 p.m. The documentary will also be repeated in prime time on Sunday, November 24 on CVM at 7:00 p.m.
