Name:

Colette Hunt

ID. No.

SJ08653EA

Lecturer:

Mrs. Pratt

Submission Date

Nov. 18, 2014

On November 6, 2014, I was fortunate enough to visit the Centre for Investigation of
Sexual Offences and child Abuse (CISOCA) and the Child Development Agency (CDA). This
was part of the requirement while doing the course School, Family & Community Relations as
an Advance Standing Student at the St. Josephs Teachers College. In an effort to develop a
greater understanding of the services offered by these agencies, it was essential for us to visit
these agencies to gather first hand information about the objectives, roles, responsibilities, goals,
and organizational structure in order to evaluate and make recommendations on the services
provided.. On my visit I met many of the personnels who are a part of the organizational
structure. I gathered a wealth of information about the current state and functions of these
agencies.
The Child Development Agency (CDA) is one of the leading child protection system in
Jamaica They are well known for their work in promoting child friendly policies and
programmes to strengthen families. The Child Development Agency (CDA) is the Executive
Agency of the Ministry of Health which has responsibility for providing a stable and nurturing
living environment for children who are in need of care and protection. It was established in
2004, out of a merger of the Child Support Unit, the Child Services Division, and the Adoption
Division, the CDA is now under the purview of the Ministry of Youth and Culture.
During the visit at The Child development Agency (CDA) I was fortunate enough to
speak directly to the Chief Executive Officer, I was given a brief overview of the agency. The
Child Development Agency (CDA) was established in 2004. Since then it has been one of the
leading child protection system in Jamaica. The main roles involve promoting child friendly
policies and programme to strengthen families.

In addition to learning more about the roles of the Child Development Agency was to find about
the main objectives. The main objectives includes, to safeguard children from becoming at risk
through advocacy of child rights and development of public awareness of childrens issues, To
provide necessary and appropriate interventions for children who have been identified as at risk
from neglect, abuse, trauma, disability or any other factor, To ensure safety, security and
development of children and young people in the care of the state, Promoting the need for
children to remain in productive family oriented environments as the ideal option rather than
separating them
This includes direct responsibility for the operation and management of eight government
childrens homes and places of safety, and the monitoring and licensing another 40 plus private
homes. As stated in the summary given they do investigations of children who have been abused,
neglected or abandoned, and therefore they want to get to those children as early as possible,
because they find that the early intervention is able to help them
The CDA is headed by a Chief Executive Officer and is supported by four divisional
directors with responsibilities for Human Resources and Administration; Policy Planning and
Evaluation; Children and Family Programmes; and Financial Management and Accounting
Services. There are four regional offices through which day-to-day intervention activities on
behalf of the child take place. These are; the South East, Southern, Western and North East
regions, each headed by a Director reporting to the Director of Programmes
Moreover, when I visited the Centre for Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child
Abuse (CISOCA), I was amaze to find out that they work in collaboration with CDA. CISOCA
formerly called the rape unit was established in 1990. On my visit I spoke with an Detective Paul

Brown who gave me got a detailed summary of the objectives of this agency which includes
creating an atmosphere which will encourage victims to report incidents of sexual offences and
child abuse to ensure effective investigation of all sexual offences that have been reported.
He highlighted the main functions that includes interview and assess each complain Record
statements of victims, witnesses and potential witnesses Arranging for victims to be medically
examined and treated by medical doctor Secure medication for victims as also Medical
Certificates for evidential purposes. Prepare and take exhibits to the Forensic Government
Laboratory for analysis. Ensure speedy and effective investigation of incidents. The terms and
reference of CISOCA is to conduct professional and effective investigations throughout Jamaica
in relation to Sexual Offences, Child Abuse and other accompanying offences and to disrupt,
dismantle and prosecute the criminals involved by Supporting and caring for victims and
witnesses including medical examinations. CISOCA develops more effective investigative
strategies including intelligence and community support. Improving and developing a
professional and sustainable Case Management System to aid prosecutors and increase
convictions at Court. Working together with other professional bodies such as CDA,
U.N.I.C.E.F., Children Advocate etc and the Criminal Justice system to forge close partnership.
CISOCA also provide assistance with the rehabilitation of victims through counselling
and therapy while conducting public education programmes on Sexual Offences and Child Abuse
in schools, training institutions, parent teachers association, neighborhood watches and through
electronic and print media and collaboration with other agencies e.g Office of Children's
Registry, Office of Children's Advocate, Victims Support Unit and Child Development Agency
ect. Public Education- conducting lectures on sexual offences in schools, training institutions,
parents/teachers association.

Based on my analysis of the services provided by these two agencies it is evident that
they work in collaboration with each other in order to carry out their mandate. The reality is that
abused children are, already traumatized by their experience. Therefore having these two
agencies working together will eliminate the added pressure of them having to undergo multiple
interviews by both the Centre for Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA)
and the Child Development Agency (CDA). These two agencies collect statements
simultaneously in order to effectively deal with the offence.
Many of our families continue to suffer daily due to violence, abuse and neglect of many
kinds. Based on first hand information that I was privileged to received during my interviews it
is evident that both the CDA and CISOCA have been a great support for many of the victims. As
on victim said to me I was embarrassed when it happened to me but they have helped me to feel
good about myself and have offered me counselling. Based on this claim it is evident that
CISOCA is full filing its mandate to provide assistance with the rehabilitation of victims through
counselling and therapy while conducting public education programmes on Sexual Offences and,
neighborhood watches
However, with all the advantages of these agencies I would recommend that CDA
increase the level of responsiveness to the needs of the children for which the agency is
responsible. Thou the goals and objectives are nicely stated it is not always evident. Hence the
CDA should strive to ensure that when persons come to them they should leave feeling that they
have received the service that they desire to benefit the needs of the child/children. Additionally,
CDA should seek to improve the level of responsiveness to their client. The Child Development
Agency needs to focus on early assessments in order to carry out needs based interventions.

The agencies are all striving to improve the lives of families in our country therefore I
hope that they continue to advertise the services provided and sensitive others as to ways to keep
themselves and other safe and not to become a victim.