The first of five Child Protection Forums scheduled for 2020 was held at the Rose Duncan Park, Linstead on Thursday, March 5. This series of forums which began in MoBay last November is part of a campaign to educate the public about the rights of children, issues affecting them and provide timely child protection tips in an effort to have citizens recognize their role, and play their part in keeping children safe.
Linstead’s event which had a focus on missing children due to the high numbers of missing children reports in St. Catherine North, featured three main speakers. Among them were:Woman Sergeant Medica Morgan Sweeney, Sub-Officer in Charge of Missing Persons who spoke on how to report a missing person and aspects of police investigation. Next, Mr. Warren Thompson, Deputy Registrar, gave tips to parents on how to safeguard children from going missing, while Mr. Robert Williams, Regional Director,South East, spoke on child abuse, how parents can get help and how parents and the community can protect children
The forum was well supported by the community who came into the venue and gathered around to the park. Many persons also visited the booth to speak with the officers from South East who were on hand to take reports and provide advice. The next Child Protection Forum is scheduled for April 23, 2020 in North East.