KINGSTON, Jamaica — The government has indicated that despite recent public discourse suggesting it intends to ban corporal punishment in homes, no decision has been made on the matter.

In a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister on Monday, the government said it remains committed to finding ways to eliminate violence in society, particularly against children, but it also acknowledges the importance of engaging a wide cross-section of stakeholders on the issue.

“The Administration respects and acknowledges the importance of engaging with a wide cross-section of stakeholders, including families and our churches, on issues concerning efforts to stem violence against our children. The government values the diverse perspectives within our society and is committed to a collaborative approach to addressing the issue,” the statement read in part.

The government, through Minister of Education Fayval Williams, went on to acknowledge that the nation’s children deserve to grow up in a country free from violence and stressed that while Cabinet has not taken a decision to ban corporal punishment, it remains “deeply committed to finding effective solutions to the issue of violence against children in our country.”

The release also shared that the National Commission on Violence Prevention (NCVP) has been tasked with conducting a “multi-dimensional examination of societal violence, ensuring that all voices are heard and considered.”

The NCVP’s report will be a key driver in the national conversation.