Childcare stakeholders gathered at the third annual Caribbean Child Research Conference yesterday to share information and discuss national and regional policy recommendations.

Data obtained from various childcare agencies reveal that the safety of children is increasingly at risk.

More than 1,500 incidents of child abuse were reported between January and June this year and, according to the Children's Registry, most of the victims were boys.

The Government recently announced a series of initiatives, including the establishment of a three-digit emergency number and several public-education campaigns, to raise awareness about child safety.

Youth Minister Olivia Grange said the proposed measures would require the support of society to properly raise children and protect their rights.

"Society needs to be proactive in the fight to protect children," she said. "People need to report their suspicions and parents need to know where their children are at all times."

Two-day conference

Representatives from Guyana, Trinidad & Tobago and other Caribbean states are attending the two-day conference, which ends today.

University Professor Neville Duncan told The Gleaner that the information gathered at the conference would include input from children.

He also said it would provide evidence to support future policy frameworks to reduce child abuse.