THE first three months of 2026 saw Jamaican children falling victim to more than 4,000 incidents of child abuse, child trafficking, child labour, and neglect, as well as struggling with behavioural challenges and bullying.

Child advocates Nigel Cooper, who is the director of Hear the Children Cry (HTCC), and Afrika Stevens, executive director and founder of Fi We Children Foundation, labelled the statistics alarming. In recognition of Child Month, being commemorated under the theme ‘Prioritising Our Children’s Mental Health: Strong Minds Safer Future’, Stevens stressed that there is need for more urgent, coordinated action and a multifaceted approach on the dangers and deficits affecting Jamaica’s children and their future.

HTCC called for its proposed ‘10 Year Disrupt Poor Parenting Practice Project’ to be funded by the Government, and the establishment of a Ministry of Family and Parenting to tackle behaviour issues.