Jamaica’s Education and Youth Minister Fayval Williams has said that the country is facing an epidemic of child abuse.

According to statistics, from the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) about 12,000 calls about child abuse cases every year.

Williams said this is very concerning and troubling, to say the least.

She was speaking at the National Church Service in recognition of Saturday’s observance of World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse at Andrews Memorial Seventh Day Adventist Church.

“There is an epidemic of child abuse in Jamaica. I don’t know of any other way to say that,” Williams said, reminding me that child abuse takes many forms.

“It could be because a child has been beaten unconscious, it could be because that child has been sexually abused, neglected, (or) because of emotional abuse, child labour, and child trafficking,” she stated.

She said perhaps child abuse is to be blamed in part, for the situation affecting minors and the fact that they are very violent and not disciplined.

She said all Jamaicans must play their part to ensure that they look out and report any warning sign that a child may be abused or is being abused.