THE J Wray & Nephew (JWN) Foundation will this Thursday at 7:00 pm host its first fund-raiser, proceeds of which will go towards programmes to help reduce child abuse.

“Concern surrounding the growing levels of child molestation, abductions, physical abuse and murder cases in our society and communities, has compelled the JWN Foundation to take action by bringing awareness to and raising funds to implement intervention programmes in our communities,” the foundation said in a press release.

The event will showcase two short films — Shoot the Girl by Tony Hendriks and Silent Hearts by Janet Morrison — both locally written.

The programme, said the JWN Foundation, was specifically developed in partnership with the Child Development Agency, which empowers children and parents alike.

Scheduled for the Courtleigh Hotel in St Andrew, the executive wants to effect change, one step at a time, in our communities and wider Jamaica; raise awareness of child abuse and put measures in place to curtail its occurrence; and develop long-term partnerships with child organisations to support sustainable programmes for mentorship and protection.