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Social Work With Children in Jamaica

Social Work With Children in Jamaica. By: Katie Roome. “The protection of Jamaican children from violence, abuse and exploitation in all its forms is one of the biggest challenges facing the nation.”

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Social Work With Children in Jamaica

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  1. Social Work With Children in Jamaica • By: Katie Roome

  2. “The protection of Jamaican children from violence, abuse and exploitation in all its forms is one of the biggest challenges facing the nation.” • In 2006, 78% of all rape/assault cases brought to public hospitals were towards children and adolescents. Of these, 32% of the victims were girls under the age of 16.

  3. 87% of children in Jamaica between the ages of 2-14 are predisposed to either psychological or physical abuse 73% of children in Jamaica are subjected to minor physical punishment while 7.5% experience severe physical punishment. • It was not until 2008 that the Ministry of Education issued a order prohibiting corporal punishment in schools. (punishment meant to cause pain but not injury) However, “legislative changes have not yet been made.” • 41.7% of Jamaica’s poor population consists of children.

  4. Jamaican Association of Social Workers • Launched on May 30, 1968 • Goals: • To stimulate sound development of the various areas of social work practice so that they can make an effective contribution to meeting human needs. • To improve the social conditions of the country by seeking active voice in important areas of social policy and planning. • To promote awareness on the part of the Jamaican public concerning the profession. • To advise on and promote standards of training and professional practice among social workers. • To collaborate with national, regional and international organizations having similar goals.

  5. The Child Abuse Mitigation ProjectAKA CAMP Bustamante • CAMP Bustamante was established at the Bustamante Hospital for Children in 2004. • In 2004 alone children were the victims of 70% of reported sexual crimes.

  6. The staff of CAMP Bustamante consists of social workers who visit the children’s homes and schools to evaluate the risk. • After evaluation, if the child is considered to be in high risk, they are referred by the social worker to the Child Development Agency. Children at medium risk are frequently checked up on.

  7. Main reasons behind abuse: “poor parenting skills, poverty, family violence, and weak community support systems.” • Social workers at CAMP Bustamante also focus on teaching parents more constructive ways to discipline their children

  8. Child Care and Protection Act of 2003 • This act is important for social workers because it provided a clear definition of child abuse, procedures for responding to suspicions, and judicial consequences. • This act also provides legal representation for children if the court feels they need it.

  9. The Office of the Children’s Advocate • Social workers are very prominent in this department. • It was established in January of 2006 for the purpose of protecting and enforcing the rights of all Jamaican children and to “promote their best interests at all times.”

  10. Future: More Social Workers Needed • According to a report concerning children in Jamaica, the future of Jamaica’s children lies in more influential social welfare programs. • “Provision of appropriate resources for the strengthening of key institutions for children, including the Office of the Children’s Advocate and the Child Development Agency, and greater support for NGOs providing services for children on the streets and children with disabilities.”

  11. World Social Work Day in Jamaica • “The Jamaican Association of Social Workers joins almost half a million social workers in 84 countries in celebrating April 15th as World Social Work Day • In Jamaica, the 15th with consist of church services, exhibitions at various colleges, and an all day Social Work expo.

  12. Bibliography • (2008) UNICEF Jamaica-Child Protection- CHILD PROTECTION. Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/jamaica/violence.html • (2005) Representing Children Worldwide. Retrieved from http://www.law.yale.edu/rcw/rcw/jurisdictions/caribbean/jamaica/frontpage.htm

  13. (2010) Jamaica Association of Social Workers. Retrieved from http://psi2you.com/2010/06/13/jamaica-association-of-social-workers/ • (2006) UNICEF Jamaica - Media centre - Social Investment For Children Initiative Launched in Jamaica. Retrieved from http://www.unicef.org/jamaica/media_3954.htm • Report prepared by Office of the Children’s Advocate and UNICEF. Retrieved from http://www.ocajamaica.com/documents/Children%20in%20Jamaica-%2020%20years%20after%20the%20CRC.pdf

  14. (2011) Social Worker Salary In Jamaica - Indeed.com. Retrieved from http://www.indeed.com/salary/q-Social-Worker-l-Jamaica-Plain,-MA.html • (2011) http://www.ifsw.org/cm_data/WSWD_08_Jamaica.pdf. Retrieved from http://www.ifsw.org/cm_data/WSWD_08_Jamaica.pdf

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