Jamaica Union Pledges Zero Tolerance for Child Abuse at St. Ann Workshop

Church leaders and stakeholders in Jamaica met to discuss child neglect and abuse at a Child Protection Workshop, where Lorraine Vernal, women’s, children’s and adolescent ministries director of the Jamaica Union, said the church holds “zero tolerance towards incidents of violence, neglect, or abuse against children.” She said, “The Seventh-day Adventist Church is committed to creating a safe and nurturing environment for all children.”

The workshop was held in St. Ann from March 24 to 26, 2025, under the theme “Child Protection: A Godly Priority.” It aimed to raise awareness of local laws, church policies and strategies for protecting children. Vernal said the church is “decisive in taking action against an individual or group in any incidents of abuse by reporting to the police and other relevant authorities.” The primary goal, she said, was to equip church workers with the tools and knowledge needed to safeguard children. “Our objective is to establish Child Protection Committees across all levels of the church by the end of 2025,” she added.

Lesia Bhagwandat-Vassell, Deputy Registrar of the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), spoke about concern over child neglect. She said that although reports of neglect have shown a slight decrease in recent years, neglect remains the most frequently reported form of abuse in Jamaica, according to data from the National Children’s Registry (NCR). In 2024, neglect cases were 41.44 percent higher than sexual abuse cases and 33.55 percent higher than physical abuse cases.

“Neglect continues to be the most prevalent form of child abuse reported to CPFSA,” Bhagwandat-Vassell said. “We are concerned that many caregivers still fail to provide proper care, discipline, and supervision for their children.” She emphasized that parents and guardians must be held accountable for ensuring that children’s basic needs are met and that they receive proper care. She outlined signs of neglect, including abandonment, unattended medical or hygiene needs, lack of supervision, and limited access to education. “We need creative strategies to ensure that responsible adults are adequately supervising children,” she said. She urged leaders and members of society to work together to create a safer community for children and called on the Adventist Church to continue identifying and reporting abuse cases to the CPFSA while implementing policies to ensure children’s safety.

Vernal reviewed the church’s efforts over the past seven years. After the Inter-American Division adopted the Child Protection Committee policy in 2017, the Jamaica Union hosted a nationwide Child Protection Policy Implementation Workshop. Since then, the union, conferences and local churches have held workshops, seminars and training sessions for pastors, parents, teachers and leaders. Vernal said the efforts are guided by the Child Protection Act of 2024, under which all cases must be reported to the appropriate authorities. “We’ve used platforms like May’s annual Child Month observances to raise awareness,” she said.

The church continues to work with government agencies including the CPFSA, the Office of the Children’s Registry (OCR) and the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF). Additional measures include designated reporting areas at camps and church events, where children can safely voice concerns. Protecting the vulnerable is the aim of these measures (Psalm 82:3).

In schools, the Guidance Department oversees child protection, and all staff members are designated as mandatory reporters. “Every adult employed at a school is required by law to report any incidents of abuse,” Vernal said. “Principals serve as the chief reporting officers, ensuring cases are reported to the authorities, while schools promote awareness through workshops and seminars.” The workshop also included presentations on child protection policies, the ADRA Child Safeguarding Policy, the psychological, emotional and social effects of abuse on children, and the importance of data protection in safeguarding children.

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