Mayor of Kingston and St Andrew, Andrew Swaby, says sexual violence against children is a national crisis and issued a call for parents, guardians and policymakers to act in the best interest of the nation’s children.

Swaby, who was speaking at the (KSAMC) annual Child’s Month candlelight vigil in downtown Kingston on Sunday, said three out of four young people in Jamaica have experienced some form of violence in their lives.

“In 2022 alone, over 50,000 reports of child abuse were brought to the attention of the Child Protection and Family Services Agency. That’s roughly 40 reports every single day. And those are the only ones that get reported. Far too often, the abuse is hidden behind silence, and a youth survey released last year gave us an even clearer picture. It tells us that more than three out of four young people in Jamaica have experienced some form of violence in their lives. Let that sink in,” Swaby said.

“Three out of four. Nearly one in every four girls has been a victim of sexual violence before reaching adulthood. And boys are not untouched. Over one in 10 have endured the same horror. This compounds the fact that more than half of our boys and girls have experienced physical violence. And this is most times at the hands of those who should be protecting them. This is more than a child protection issue,” he continued.

The mayor further stressed that one in 10 children who have faced sexual violence have access to professional help.

“This is a national crisis. The violence is not only in our homes; it’s in our communities, and it’s in our schools. One in three boys say he’s aware of gang activity in his school, and one in four girls say the same. And even when the wounds are deep on the navel, too many children are still left to suffer in silence. One in ten young people have faced sexual violence have access to professional help. One in ten. That data speaks volumes about the pain and as well as the breakdown of our system of care. A breakdown of trust, a breakdown of outrage. But I stand here this evening with a message that cuts through the darkness. Violence against children is preventable, and more importantly, it is unacceptable. Every slap, every insult, every unwanted touch, and every moment a child feels left to feel unsafe chips away at something sacred,” Swaby said.

He said the annual child and exploitation candlelight vigil should serve as a signal to stand against child abuse and create safer communities.

“While we may light candles tonight in remembrance. Let them burn as a signal, a signal that we will act, and we will act now. Act now. Stand against child abuse and exploitation. That is the theme of this year’s Child’s Month. It is not a suggestion; it is a charge, a call to every parent, every teacher, every neighbour, every policymaker, yes, every leader, including myself. We must act in the classroom. We must act in our churches, our clinics, and our courts. Build a network of trust and response. We must act in our homes. We must create a safer community. Let me say this clearly. The Jamaican child is not a problem to be managed. The Jamaican child is a promise to be kept, a gift to be nurtured, a light to be protected,” Swaby said.

“Let us be the country where no child is afraid to speak up. Where reporting abuse is met with compassion, not condemnation. Where services are accessible, trusted, and responsive. Where a community is not just a place to live but a shield you can count on. Because a country that does not protect its children is a country that has forfeited its future. And here in Kingston and across Jamaica, we will not let that happen. So to every child who has ever felt forgotten, hurt, or dismissed, I say this. We see you, we believe you, and we will fight for you. Let us act. Let us stand. Let us protect our children,” Swaby concluded.