PRIME MINISTER P.J. Patterson is urging more community involvement in fostering the development of the nation's children.
"Do not turn a blind eye when you see someone in your community, or your sphere of influence, in need of help," Mr. Patterson urged during a radio broadcast on Sunday.
While the Government continues to invest heavily in enforcing the law where street crime is concerned, the level of domestic violence in the country needs to be addressed, he said, as it accounted for four of 10 crimes committed in the country.
These acts of violence, he noted, were committed in the home by men and women against partners, parents, children and other family members.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INCREASES
He said that last year, over 1,700 cases of domestic violence came before the Family Court in Kingston and St. Andrew, while some 2,092 cases came before the family courts in St. Andrew, St. James, Hanover and Westmoreland.
"Children with an unstable family, who have witnessed violence or who are exposed to hours of violence on television, underachieve at school and are more likely to abuse drugs or alcohol and display aggressive behaviour. Exposure to drugs and sex at a premature age does incalculable harm."
Mr. Patterson also said that experience showed that children who were exposed to violence were themselves likely to carry out violent acts. A recent study showed that five to 11 per cent of children between the ages of 10 and 19 years reported either belonging to a gang or being a past member of one. Also, about 15 per cent of students carried weapons to school.
Mr. Patterson said that the first crucial step in addressing the problem was for every parent to accept his or her responsibility for their children.
"Time and attention are the most important things a parent can give to a child, and this costs no money," the Prime Minister said.
