CISOCA mothers speak on policing child abuse cases while raising their own children

Two women attached to the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse, CISOCA, used a Mother’s Day discussion with the Jamaica Constabulary Force to speak about the emotional weight of protecting children while also raising their own.

Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Debbie-Ann Jennings and quality assurance officer Sherice Johnson said the work demands both professional discipline and a mother’s empathy. They said separating home from the job is necessary for their well-being, but the two roles often overlap because the cases involve children and families.

Both women said they were parents before joining CISOCA, and the posting changed how they parent. They described becoming more watchful about children’s movements, behaviour changes and the people allowed close access to them. One officer recalled being called to a hospital early in her CISOCA service after an 18-month-old girl was abused, saying the experience left her shaken and more aware of the realities police confront.

The officers said their maternal instincts help when dealing with young victims who may need food, comfort, reassurance or a hug. They also acknowledged that long hours and urgent cases can pull them away from their own children. Support from relatives, colleagues and trusted networks, they said, is often essential.

On protecting boys and girls, the officers warned that parents must not assume only girls are at risk. They said boys can also be abused, including by women, and may stay silent because they are expected to appear tough. Parents were urged to listen carefully when a child first expresses discomfort with someone or refuses contact, because ignoring that first warning can close the door to later disclosure.

They said conversations about bodies, boundaries, relationships and consequences should start early and grow with the child’s age. For Mother’s Day, the officers said rest, family time, light exercise and even spa treatment would help them recover from the stress of police work, noting that officers in CISOCA and other divisions carry heavy trauma.