Junor
Omar Anderson, Freelance Writer
THE MINISTRY of Health (MoH) last week gave conflicting responses to questions as to whether children being kept in children's homes become highly sexualised while living there.
But the ministry did confirm reports reaching The Sunday Gleaner that children do get involved in bestiality at these homes, as part of their varied sexual encounters.
In a written response to Sunday Gleaner queries, Health Minister John Junor said children are not highly sexualised.
However, he said: "We have had instances of children so diagnosed and those have been treated by a child psychiatrist."
Mr. Junor said the ministry recognises a shortage of trained personnel and facilities to offer sustained treatment. He added that normal growth and development patterns in children involve demonstrable awareness and sometimes exploration of their sexuality.
"Children with diverse backgrounds, wide experiences and exposure to sexual activity do come into care," the minister said, adding that there are ongoing efforts by the Children's Services Division (CSD) of the Health Ministry to be vigilant and prevent any incidence of sexual activity in all homes.
According to the minister, where these incidents occur, accelerated action is taken, for example referral of children to specialists for treatment and intervention, employment of additional staff, staff training and counselling.
Last week, the ministry mandated a review of the island's children's homes and places of safety to see whether Jamaica was upholding the International Convention on the Rights of the Child, ratified by Jamaica.
The review has also come after a special report sent to the ministry in December, which revealed that children have been sexually molested at two children's homes.
Mr. Junor admitted that there were isolated cases of bestiality occurring within public and private children's homes, but he said these abnormal behaviours did not begin in these homes.
"In many instances, the child involved has had encounters of this kind prior to his admission into the care of the state," he said. "In all cases, immediate steps involving clinical interventions and closer supervision of staff and children have been taken to address the problem."
The minister also pointed to Jamaica's "stray animal problem" and added that most of these children's homes do not own dogs. He said it is difficult to prevent stray dogs coming on to the compound of homes.
Meanwhile, the report sent to the ministry also stated that a children's officer attached to the CSD was involved in molesting children at one of the homes. But Mr. Junor said investigations into the allegations were done and recommendations were sent to the Office of the Services Commission (OSC) for action.
"[The] OSC indicated that the evidence in the form that was submitted was insufficient for any action to be taken," he said. "Having regard to the practical challenges facing the investigators, the matter could not be pursued further."
The report said there were also instances where children have been found to be frequently beaten, malnourished and even illiterate. But the Minister said many of these children enter homes with these challenges. He said the Ministry's nutrition department visits and assesses public children's homes and provides guidance on how to best meet the nutritional needs of the wards.
"In all institutions, children are given a minimum three meals per day," he said, adding that children must be enrolled in an academic programme either on or off-site. Mr. Junor also said instructors and teachers are also employed, and some homes have implemented remedial educational programmes.
Mr. Junor said that there have been occasional complaints of mistreatment of children, including beating by older children and staff, which he said are expeditiously and seriously dealt with. He told The Sunday Gleaner that an investigation is usually conducted into these complaints and action taken based on the findings.
"In recent times a home has dismissed the entire staff body because of reported mal-treatment," Mr. Junor said. "Another home had occasion to dismiss a manager. Several workers have been dismissed over the years for similar reasons."
The Health Minister said when the Government-commissioned review is completed, the recommendations of the panel will be examined and appropriate action will be taken to ensure the protection of children and their rights, even if it involves dismissal.
