#NashawnBrown #Thread
The case of Nashawn Brown, a promising 4-yr-old who was severely beaten by his stepdad has again brought to the fore the plight of our children who continue to face physical, sexual & emotional abuse from adults in their lives who are meant to protect them.
We continue to be horrified by reports of violent & cruel acts being meted out to children. This should not be tolerated. In the same way we have address and condemn other forms of violence, we must unequivocally, loudly & resolutely condemn violence against our children.
Physical abuse remains one of the main & overt forms of child maltreatment reported to the CPFSA National Children’s Registry (NCR). Each year, approximately 25-30% of reports received are for children who are victims of some form of physical violence.
For the first half of 2021, the NCR received 1,465 reports of physical abuse, representing 26% of the 5,561 reports of child maltreatment received during the period.
Domestic disputes appear to be a significant factor in the physical harm of children where we have had numerous reports of children being hurt as a result of fights between parents.
Increasingly, children and their families are exposed to violence which can have long-term devastating psychological impacts ranging from acute distress to more chronic emotional difficulties.
Studies show that there is a link between adverse childhood experiences through exposure to violence and ill health outcomes. Our children’s mental health is also impacted - they become depressed, anxious and display signs of post-traumatic stress disorder
It is important for us to have a conversation about the effects of corporal punishment. Children’s brains develop the most, in the first few years of life, mostly in the early childhood period, 0-6 years.
When we hug, love and reason with our children, we teach them how to love and care for others; their brains form the connections for love and care; it is called brain wiring. When we hurt our children, their brains form the connections for aggression and violence.
Unfortunately, in communities all across Jamaica, persons are aware of children being beaten and physically abused but do not report it. We need our communities to truly be the village that protects our children.
We have all the mechanisms for you as adults to report when our children are being hurt, to the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPSFA).
Children too can call SAFE SPOT which is exclusively for persons under eighteen years old at 888-SAFE-SPOT (888-723-3776 or DM safespotja on Instagram and Snapchat or on WhatsApp at 876-439-5199. It is an initiative of the OCA, PSOJ and UNICEF and is operated by the OCA.
In its research into causes of violence and mechanisms to prevent violence, the National Council on Violence Prevention (NCVP) has already highlighted corporal punishment as one of the critical preventive factors that we must address as a nation.
The CPFSA whose mandate is the care and protection of children at risk, continues to be our first line of defense in the care and protection of our children.The agency has been responding immediately to incidents of violence against our children through a first response system.
This system sees social workers visiting with families, providing counseling support, conducting needs assessments and creating an intervention plan with the hope that conflicts will be resolved in a more amicable manner and our children will be safeguarded.
We call on every Jamaican to stand up for our children; we need you to form a circle of care and protection around every child in our country.

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More from @AndrewHolnessJM

21 Jul
#Covid19Update #Thread

Based on the latest report from this morning, Jamaica recorded 122 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday. Our cumulative cases of COVID-19 are now 51,404 and, sadly 1,163 people have died.
I offer condolences to all those who have lost family, friends, loved ones and colleagues to this terrible pandemic. For all those who are in hospital fighting the virus as well as others who are ill but not hospitalized, I pray for a speedy recovery.
Since March 2021 during which we peaked at 15,944 new cases, the number of new cases of COVID-19 has been decreasing month-on-month. However, our July numbers are showing an uptick relative to June.
Read 23 tweets
20 Jul
Five outstanding merit-based tertiary scholarships and the Hon. Edwin Allen Scholarship for a student who demonstrates potential and perseverance, are now open to Jamaicans who have been accepted into university and are between the ages of 17 and 25.
The six Jamaica Labour Party National Scholarships this year are named in honour of past Ministers who were part of government formed by the Jamaica Labour Party.
They are as follows:

The Honourable Dr. Mavis Gilmour Peterson scholarship for Science/ Mathematics and Education (post graduate)

The Honourable Douglas Vaz scholarship for Economics.

The Honourable Jeanette Grant Woodham scholarship for the Creative Industry.
Read 6 tweets
22 Jun
#Thread
Covid-19 Update:

Effective Thursday, June 24, 2021, we will modify the existing Order to phase in new measures for places of worship and cinemas. Instead of the current limit of 50 persons, it will now be capacity based.
The maximum number of persons physically present will be determined as 70% of the capacity which is calculated based on 1 person for every 40 sq. ft. of the designated worship area. All existing protocols, including, temperature checks, sanitization, & mask wearing must continue.
Indoor theatres and cinemas will be allowed to open with the same size-based capacity limitation - One person for every 40 square feet or 70% of seated capacity, whichever is lower.
Read 50 tweets
1 Jun
#Thread: Covid-19 Update

Unfortunately, we have lost 949 persons to the pandemic. I extend my deepest sympathies to all Jamaicans who have lost loved ones to this terrible pandemic.
Our numbers have been trending downwards with the number of new cases declining faster than new hospitalizations.
This demonstrates that the measures implemented since the end of February have been successful in controlling the spike.
We have consistently increased our hospital bed capacity allocated to COVID-19. We now have an allocation of over 700 beds.
Read 48 tweets
4 May
#Thread
Weekdays curfew hours will remain at 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. the following morning ending at 5 a.m. on June 3, 2021.
Weekend curfew hours will be modified for the next four weekends starting at 6 p.m. on Saturdays & at 2 p.m. on Sundays, ending at at 5 a.m. the next morning.
For Labour Day, Monday, May 24, 2021, there will be an all-day curfew. Therefore, on Sunday, May 23, the curfew will begin at 2 p.m. and end on Tuesday, May 25, at 5 a.m.
#Schools
The dates for exit examinations are approaching & our students and teachers continue to face challenges with preparation.

Based on the registration data, approximately:

39,000 students are registered to do the PEP Ability Test for Grade 6, scheduled for May 26, 2021
Read 14 tweets
4 May
(1/4) Today, May 4, 2021, is Read Across Jamaica Day; an annual observation as part of Education Week.
(2/4) In recognition of the day, I was happy to welcome some of our young learners from the Mona Preparatory School onto the lawns of Jamaica House where I read them the book, ‘My Brain Is My Boss' by Suzanne Francis Brown.
(3/4) The theme for this year’s Education Week is “Bridging the Digital and Social Divide: Transforming Education for Economic and Sustainable Development.” The objective of the day is to promote the significance of reading and literacy locally.
Read 4 tweets

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