Hanna calls for integrated approach on children policies

Minister of Youth and Culture Lisa Hanna says there needs to be a more integrated approach to the way national stakeholders communicate on policies that impact the lives of children.

Miss Hanna was speaking at a church service to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Office of the Children’s Registry (OCR) in St Andrew yesterday.

She says young people are the most critical population to ensure that the country progresses and adds that everyone has to be more vigilant and accept their roles in the development of each child.

The newly-appointed minister also wants stakeholders to make a commitment to work closely with the OCR, saying it was important to give children confidence.

The OCR was established in 2007 under the Child Care and Protection Act 2004 and is responsible for receiving reports of child abuse and recording, assessing and referring them to the Child Development Agency or the Children’s Advocate for investigation and action.

Since its inception the OCR has received over 24,000 reports of child abuse, with 7,000 coming 2011 alone.