Office of The Children's Advocate

14/04/2025

Every child deserves a name, an identity, a place in the world. 🌍💛

03/02/2025

A large part of the Office of the Children’s Advocate’s (OCA’s) vision for all children in Jamaica is that they enjoy the rights to survival, development, and protection, as we consider their best interests at all times.

This month, as we share tips on how to identify predatory behavior in adults towards children, let us remember: children have the right to be protected from neglect, physical abuse, and sexual abuse.

For more on the Rights of the Child, visit: unicef.org/child-rights-convention
'sAdvocate

27/01/2025

Your worth is not defined by outcomes or comparisons. 💛 Let's remind our teens that it's okay to face challenges and that self-compassion matters. We're here to support you every step of the way.

Need someone to talk to? Reach out to SafeSpot, the national child and teen helpline, available 24/7:
📞 888-SAFESPOT (888-723-3776)
📱 WhatsApp: 876-439-5199
🌐 www.safespotja.com

'sAdvocate

24/01/2025

Article 28 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, guarantees free compulsory primary education for all; progressive free secondary education that should in any case be available and accessible to all; and accessibility to higher education on the basis of capacity.
Let us remember this, today, January 24 International Day of Education and every day, as we strive to protect the rights of all our children.
'sAdvocate

15/10/2024

The Office of the Children's Advocate continues to provide information on international best practices aimed at arming first responders across the justice system with well needed information when dealing with child offenders. It has issued its Child Justice Guidelines (2013) with the intention to provide information about how to enforce and acknowledge the rights and best interests of children across Jamaica.

05/07/2024

Clean water is a scarce commodity, especially in the aftermath of a natural disaster such as a hurricane.

Source clean water for consumption during this period and watch children carefully as they play in puddles that may have been left behind by the storm in your yard spaces. This will make a difference in controlling the outbreak of waterborne diseases.

05/07/2024

Hurricane Beryl has passed and in her wake, has left many challenges. We at the OCA want you to take every care and precaution in keeping you and your children safe! Many diseases may break-out after a hurricane but you can put the necessary precautionary plans in place to keep you and your children safe!

16/05/2024

Listen to your children! Don't always dismiss their complaints about relatives and friends, as them just being annoying or nagging or even lying.

Many children try to tell their parents the truth that they are being abused or being touched in an inappropriate way by someone they know. They are sometimes dismissed as troublemakers and liars.
Give them the benefit of the doubt. Check it out! This may save their lives and their future!

06/05/2024

Happy Child Month from the Office of The Children's Advocate. All Jamaicans are being asked to Stand Up! Speak out! Protect the Rights of our Children'

08/03/2024