Child‑advocacy organisation Hear The Children’s Cry (HTCC) is pressing the Jamaican Government to bankroll a sweeping ten‑year programme aimed at overhauling parenting standards nationwide.
HTCC director Nigel Cooper argues that the next strategic investment, following recent boosts to security‑force budgets, should target the root of violence by strengthening households. “We pour billions into suppressing gangs; it is time we invest comparable sums in cultivating responsible parenting,” Cooper said.
The call aligns with Child Month 2025’s theme, “Act Now: Stand Against Child Abuse and Exploitation.” Data from the National Children’s Registry show roughly 1,200 abuse reports every month — a statistic Cooper labels a “national alarm bell” that cannot be silenced with short‑term campaigns.
A Multi‑Layered Blueprint
HTCC’s proposal seeks:
- Personalised coaching for parents of children aged 6–16, delivered through schools and community centres.
- Behaviour‑change media drives promoting engaged, nurturing parenting practices.
- Partnerships with NGOs and service clubs such as Kiwanis to expand reach beyond government channels.
Cooper estimates the initiative will cost “several billion dollars” over the decade but insists the price of inaction is higher. “Family structures have eroded for over forty years; turning that tide requires sustained effort, not one‑off workshops,” he emphasised.
Back‑to‑Basics Actions for May
To kick‑start momentum, HTCC is urging parents this Child Month to:
- Have candid, sometimes uncomfortable, conversations with their children.
- Share faith‑based or reflective activities together.
- Play a sport or game the child enjoys.
- Read aloud and discuss stories nightly.
- Replace texts with face‑to‑face dialogue at least once a day.
- Fathers, in particular, should dedicate time to learn their children’s interests.
- Offer consistent, tangible expressions of affection.
HTCC says it stands ready to collaborate with the Parenting Commission, the Child Protection and Family Services Agency, and other stakeholders to refine the programme’s design and budget. “Changing culture is a marathon,” Cooper noted, “but every kilometre we invest in families moves Jamaica toward a safer future for its children.”
