June 22, 2023 – AHF Jamaica is deeply concerned about the level of violence currently plaguing Jamaican children. Globally, the highest number of homicide levels among children and adolescents are found in Latin America and the Caribbean with Jamaica ranking 4th in the world.
Thousands of children across the island have fallen prey to an environment that is saturated with high levels of crime and violence. Statistics indicate an alarming degree to which children are being victimized in our nation through gun violence which is widespread. “Eight in 10 Jamaican children are regularly subjected to violent discipline methods at home, which includes psychological as well as physical violence. About 65 per cent of children in schools say that they have been bullied, and close to 80 per cent say they witness violence in their communities and in their homes” (The Gleaner, 2022). According to the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), an average of 47 children are murdered annually, and 150 children, on average, have been victims of shootings over the last five years.
These statistics are not only disheartening but are a direct representation of the psychosocial climate we currently live in. According to Dr. Kevin Harvey, Caribbean Regional Director for AHF and Head of the School of Public Health and Health Technology at Utech, “Children have a right to protection from all forms of crime and violence, in all settings. They are entitled to grow up in an environment free from harm in the name of discipline, free from being bullied at school, without being assaulted or raped by predators, and without suffering injury or death by any violent means. Children deserve to reach their full potential and that is the responsibility of us all to ensure that it happens”. Our nation has been rocked by the loss of Danielle Rowe, and as we stand in solidarity with her family we must encourage our people and our leaders to reset our approaches towards fostering the holistic development of our children and expunging crime and violence from our communities with a collective commitment and proactive investments says Harvey.
On June 23, 2023, we continue to mourn the loss of Danielle and other children who have fallen victim to crime and violence within our nation. As a country, we must do better to protect our children and start moving away from the “a nuh my pickney” approach. In addressing the challenge of our children’s safety, AHF Jamaica has partnered with the relevant agencies responsible for child care and protection to provide programmatic and financial support in an effort to strengthen their services and reach. Additionally, AHF has launched a campaign entitled “I am somebody” which is geared towards highlighting the violence and abuse our children face within society. A video presentation was created and circulated with credits to Mr. Horace M. Bryant and Ms. Jahnice Solomon, this can be viewed using the link attached. This is a part of our consistent efforts to bridge the gap between social and economic determinants and their impact on our children’s mental and physical health. However, the organization acknowledges that greater support is needed to combat this epidemic.
The implications of early exposure to crime and violence have proven to have adverse effects on adult criminality, delinquent acts, drug and alcohol abuse, academic performance, and behavioral, psychological, and, physical challenges. We at AHF Jamaica, call for more action and greater investments to end violence against children this is in alignment with our National Plan of Action for an Integrated Approach to Children and Violence; that way it ensures their healthy growth and future development later in life.
