KINGSTON, Jamaica — Hear The Children’s Cry (HTCC) has renewed calls for urgent action to protect Jamaica’s young children from harmful influences, warning that exposure to inappropriate content and poor social conditions are contributing to moral decline and dangerous behaviours.

In a statement on Thursday, HTCC Director Nigel Cooper supported the National Parent Teachers Association of Jamaica’s (NPTAJ) appeal for stricter vetting of content children consume. He emphasised that beyond parental responsibility, the wider society must also be held accountable. His remarks come amid national concern over reports of a child being sexually assaulted by another student at their primary school.

“The recent reports of an incident at [a primary school] in Kingston is another glaring example of the fact that morally, Jamaica is on a slippery slope,” Cooper said.

He continued, “Children are bombarded with sexual images and lyrics. Poor socialisation and living conditions do not help the situation — for instance, where adult conversations and activities are in view and earshot of little children because of lack of space. Our sources say that the popular game of ‘Jook’ has taken a radical turn in some primary schools, and now involves taking off undergarments and jumping on each other.”

“Parents have to be held responsible for their young children. However, the wider society must also bear responsibility, especially when we consider that many parents of young children are very young themselves, some even falling within the definition of a child, by their age,” Cooper added.

HTCC Spokesperson Priscilla Duhaney echoed Cooper’s concerns, stressing the urgent need to preserve childhood innocence.

“It is a matter of grave concern that the music, and sexual content in the media as a whole is prematurely stimulating our children. The fact that we are constantly battling against sexual/immoral behaviours, especially in recent times, points to our need to place greater emphasis on preserving our children’s innocence, at a national level,” she said.

“At this time, however, we need to investigate the environs of the young boy involved, and try to determine whether he was predisposed to pornographic content, or has been a victim of sexual abuse himself,” she continued.

Duhaney extended sympathy to the families involved, encouraging them to seek counselling services available through HTCC, stating “We would all like to send our sympathy to the parents of the two children involved, and to their school community, and to let the parents of the young victim know how much we empathise with them. We hope they feel free to contact our social worker at Hear The Children’s Cry if they need counselling.”

Meanwhile, Cooper also urged the revival of a national Values and Attitudes Campaign, referencing former prime minister PJ Patterson’s 2005 initiative.

“Former prime minister the Most Honourable PJ Patterson launched a Values and Attitudes Campaign in 2005. Unfortunately, his attempt failed, judging by today’s standards. We need a well-resourced Values and Attitudes Campaign right now — and we need to find the resources to mount and maintain it. We can spend money on our roads and other apparent priorities, but if we do not fix the society no one will want to raise their children in Jamaica,” he said.

HTCC is calling for greater government and corporate support for non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in child welfare.

“The Government and the private sector need to support the civil society far more than is happening now. The voluntary organisations or NGOs are in the trenches struggling to fill the many urgent needs affecting our children. These activities do not typically attract corporate sponsorship or more effective Government budgets, but they are vital,” it said.

While thanking organisations such as Yello Media Group Jamaica and Canopy Insurance Limited for their contributions, the group stressed that much more support is needed to address the crisis facing the nation’s children. The organisation also noted that its Bumper Sticker Initiative, which raises funds for its programmes while promoting child safety, is available at their offices.