For the second time this week, the Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network, JYAN is calling for the Sex Offenders’ Registry to be made public.

The latest instance follows the revelation by the police that 3,000 acts of sexual assault have been committed against children since 2023.

The Centre for Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse, CISOCA, says over 300 reports have been made so far this year.

Mahiri Stewart tells us more.

On Tuesday, following the rape and murder of nine-year-old Kelsey Ferrigon in Spanish Town, St Catherine, JYAN called for strengthening of the national child protection framework, including publicising the Sex Offenders’ Registry.

Then on Thursday, amid news that the number of child sexual assault reports up to May 12 this year is over 300, JYAN’s executive director, attorney-at-law Shannique Bowden, again argued for the move.

She was speaking with Ricardo Brooks and Sanjay Lewis on Nationwide at Five.

Managed by the Department of Correctional Services, the Registry has been operational since July 2014.

It mandates registration, upon conviction, for specified sexual offences, with offenders being monitored for at least 10 years. This includes obligations such as reporting changes in residence, travel plans, and check-ins.

Currently the registry is only available to law enforcement and other select groups. But there have been increasing calls in recent times for it to be made public.

Some argue that confidentiality protects perpetrators more than it safeguards potential victims, especially children.

Ms. Bowden says the protection of the child must take priority.

Child abuse reports may be made to CISOCA via WhatsApp: 876-224-5352 or by direct call: 876-926-4079.

You can also call Crime Stop at 311, the police at 119 or visit the nearest police station.

Child abuse reports may be made through CISOCA’s WhatsApp at 876-224-5352 or call them directly at 876-926-4079. You can also call Crime Stop at 311, the police at 119 or visit the nearest police station.

Meanwhile, director of Hear The Children’s Cry, Nigel Cooper, says the names of repeat child sex offenders should be made public.

But he’s also calling for greater monitoring of child sex offenders.

Nigel Cooper, director of Hear The Children’s Cry. He was also speaking on Nationwide at Five on Thursday.