Gage-Grey encourages greater vigilance of children during back to school
WITH THE start of another school year under way, Chief Executive Officer of the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), Rosalee Gage-Grey, is reminding parents, guardians and caregivers of their duty to protect their children, in keeping with the Child Care and Protection Act (CCPA) 2004.
She said that over the years, there is a noticeable trend for parents to accompany children to school during the first few weeks in the school year, which gradually tapers off throughout the rest of the year.
“While we understand the many responsibilities and demands of parenting, in particular for those employed, we encourage that appropriate arrangements are made to ensure the safety of children at all times,” Gage-Grey said.
She stressed that the issue of parental neglect is of grave concern, and is a contributing factor to the number of children reported missing.
Statistics from the Office of the Children’s Registry indicated that during the period of January to June 2018, 813 reports of missing children were made.
Of that number, 75 per cent of the children reported missing were females.
The data also revealed that approximately eight out of every 10 children reported missing in the period have since been found and returned home.
Referring to the recent spate of violence against the nation’s children, she is therefore calling for greater vigilance on the part of parents during this time and shares the following safety tips.