Minister in the Office of the Prime Minister Ayanna Webster-Roy has disclosed that a total of 345 matters involving children’s homes were reported to the Children’s Authority between 2020 and May 1, this year.
She gave the update in the House of Representatives on Monday.
The complaints relate to matters such as child abuse, threat of child abuse and children running away from children’s homes, residences or support centres.
More serious matters are classified as critical incidents and the lesser matters are defined as complaints according to Webster-Roy.
Of the 345 matters, there were 197 critical incidents and 69 complaints against children’s homes and residences.
Webster-Roy said, “By comparison, a total of 79 critical incidents emanated from child support centres.”
She added, “Of the 197 critical incidents from community residences, 34 were related to various types of child abuse.”
The Children’s Authority, Webster-Roy continued, reported that all complaints regarding children’s homes have been investigated and most of the reports were unsubstantiated.
“Where substantiated, the homes have generally instituted corrective measures.”
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