Registrar of the OCR, Carla Edie, said that between January and December 2008, the agency received 3,784 reports. For the similar period in 2007, only 425 complainst were made.
The categories of reports ranged from a child in need of care and protection to sexual abuse, truancy, physical abuse, unfit adult working in a childcare institution, carnal abuse, incest and neglect.
Edie attributed the surge in the reports to the increasing awareness of persons about their legal responsibility to relate incidents of genuine concern for the safety of children.
More aware
"More individuals are now aware of the role of the OCR as the body responsible for receiving, recording and referring reports of child abuse," she said, noting that in 2007, many persons were reporting cases to the Child Development Agency and the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
According to Edie, the category with the highest number of cases reported, related to a child in need of care and protection, followed closely by children suffering from neglect and physical abuse. But she said in some instances, a child was subjected to more than one form of abuse.
Edie is encouraging persons who are suspicious about the safety of children to contact the registry.
"It is not your responsibility to prove that it is true," Edie said. "If someone has information of suspected child abuse and fails to make a report to the registry, that person can be charged a maximum fee of $500,000 and/or be imprisoned for six months."
In the meantime, the OCR will now open its offices for 16 hours every day from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Edie also revealed that there are plans to institute a 24-hour service in February when the agency moves to a new location at 12 Carlton Crescent, St Andrew.
The OCR was established in January 2007 under the Child Care and Protection Act of 2004.
- Jamaica Information Service
Children's registry contact
Persons with any reasonable suspicion that a child has been or is likely to be abused should call toll free 1-888-PROTECT, 822-7031 or 878-2882.
Persons may also visit the registry at its 48 Duke Street office.