The Editor, Sir:

I read with great interest the article by Alison Anderson, chief executive officer of the Child Development Agency (CDA). It is interesting that Ms Anderson stated the objectives of the CDA and the number of persons who served over the period, but failed to report the failure of some of them to monitor properly the government homes or institutions in which these children are placed.

There have been accusations, for example, of homes in which teenage girls are subject to regular abuse, rendering the place a veritable 'lesbian brothel'. Is the CDA aware that when some girls are taken from their homes for whatever reasons and are placed in certain institutions, they are abused further? How many of these children have been interviewed to find out their experiences in these homes? Has the CDA representatives taken the time to sit with the staff in these homes to get a better handle on the situation for all involved?

Now, I don't know who is in charge of these homes and to whom my complaint should be lodged, but this one thing I know, the care is not better in some of these places than from where the children were taken. The Jamaican terminology is 'jump out of frying pan, and jump into fire'.

If we are really serious about caring for these children and providing a better environment than the one from which they were taken, then the CDA needs to get all the stakeholders involved and find better ways to care for these children, including time spent for schooling, as against them sitting idly and taking time to ensure that those who have care of our children are not themselves abusers.

Failing our children

Ms Anderson also informed the public about the Child Care and Protection Act (2004). May I point out that this act is also applicable to the CDA. If the CDA representatives fail to investigate thoroughly the reports received, they may in fact contribute to and thus become liable for child endangerment and should therefore face a stiffer penalty than those established for the public.

We can all do something - report abuse. Who will take our reports and act on them? Many of our systems in Jamaica are failing us and are failing our children. Yes, we may or will complain but we still need a Moses. Are you our Moses, Ms Anderson?

I am, etc.,

JULIET BARNABY-CONSTANTINE

julietcon@hotmail.com

Greater Portmore

St Catherine