Pringle Calls – By Kisean Joseph
Pringle Calls Urgent Audit
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Opposition Leader Jamale Pringle is calling for an urgent government assessment of whether the police, social services and the courts have enough resources to handle the 287 child abuse cases reported this year.
Pringle made the call in response to questions from Observer Media following last week’s National Child Protection Town Hall. Approximately 30 of the 287 documented cases reportedly involve sexual assault.
Pringle said the caseload alone should trigger a close look at staffing and support across every agency involved in responding to abuse allegations. “We need to look at the number of trained social workers and investigators,” he said. “We also need to look at access to child psychologists and counsellors, forensic and medical support.”
He added that prosecutorial capacity and court timelines must also be examined. “We also have to examine the capacity to prosecute,” Pringle said. “We also have to take into consideration court delays and also the availability of safe accommodation for children who cannot safely remain in their homes.”
Pringle said the results of such an assessment should go directly to Parliament and that any shortfalls identified should be treated as a funding priority. “Government should conduct an urgent capacity assessment and make the findings available to Parliament,” he said. “If additional personnel, training, technology or funding are required, child protection must be treated as a national priority in the allocation of resources.”
