KINGSTON, Jamaica -Minister of Youth and Culture Lisa Hanna is encouraging children to report cases of abuse and neglect, reminding that neglect is also classified as a form of child abuse.

“If you have a parent or guardian who is neglecting you, they can be reported because at this stage of your life, your physical and emotional well-being is important and the only way you are going to feel good about yourself is if you get care, reassurance, motivation, love,” the youth minister told scores of students from schools in Kingston and St Andrew on Friday, November 2.

Hanna was speaking at a youth forum held at the St Andrew Parish Church Hall in Kingston as part of Youth Month activities and was organised by the National Child Month Committee.

The Minister also encouraged the youth to speak up on the matter of sexual abuse, reminding them that no one has the right to touch them inappropriately.

“You have a responsibility to yourself to report such acts where they happen. You are to respect yourselves and report it if anybody does anything to you that you find harmful whether emotionally, sexually or physically,” she said.

She reminded the students that they should not participate in sexual activities emphasising that “by law and good moral values persons under the age of 16 are not allowed to have sex”.