Boys’ call for more action, less talk on abduction, abuse
THOUGH THE statistics consistently point to women being more susceptible to abduction and abuse, a trio of Wolmerian lads has warned that boys should not be overlooked, while simultaneously imploring the Government to act more on and talk less about the issues.
“I want to see greater public input and more project execution aimed at saving lives,” Damion Drackett, 16, child ambassador for region six and peer tutor at Wolmer’s Boys’ School, told The Gleaner at the Ananda Alert National Missing Children’s Forum held at the Jamaica Conference Centre on Thursday.
Statistics sourced from the Missing Person Monitoring Unit of the Jamaica Constabulary Force show that 76 per cent of children reported missing between January and December 2016 were girls.
“Though women are at a greater risk of being captured, the findings show that it hap- pens to boys as well. Males can’t simply roam the streets carefree. We have to be vigilant and even rugged nowadays. The Government should get more parents and adults on board, as Jamaicans don’t pay attention to anything they aren’t a part of. Decisions can’t be made solely by the ‘important people’ in a room.”
EDUCATE THE PUBLIC
Nicholas Gayle, 15, Students’ Council representative, said that the issues were not being broadcast adequately across all platforms to educate parents and the public about the role they ought to play to eradicate the problem.
“The school curriculum should have these types of lessons. You’re never too young to protect yourself, and knowledge is the greatest power. Parents should observe their children’s behavioural patterns, communicate with them as often as possible and just give t hem attention. Many cases of exploitation or abduction are as a result of parental neglect,” Gayle said.