Child abuse and care reports climb five per cent in 2025, PIOJ data show

Jamaica’s child protection agencies logged more than 14,600 reports of abuse and care concerns during 2025, a five per cent rise on the year before, the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) reports.

According to the Economic and Social Survey Jamaica 2025, which was laid in the House of Representatives on June 30, the National Children’s Registry (NCR) took in 14,602 reports last year, against 13,918 in 2024.

The survey also found that recorded abuse incidents far outnumbered individual reports, with 31,591 incidents captured in 2025. Behavioural problems, neglect, and situations in which children needed care and protection were the leading categories.

Behavioural issues made up the biggest share, at 7,835 incidents — 4,168 involving girls and 3,667 involving boys. Neglect ranked next, with 6,777 incidents (3,563 female and 3,214 male). Need-for-care-and-protection matters totalled 5,872 incidents, covering 3,331 females and 2,541 males.

“The reports of abuse received, when assessed by incident type, are usually greater than the total number of reports received,” the PIOJ said.

Of the reports filed, probes were finished on 11,723 cases, and 10,649 were passed to internal and external bodies such as the Investigation Services Unit (ISU), the Office of the Children’s Advocate (OCA), the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA), and the Victim Services Division.

Kingston generated the highest portion of matters sent for investigation, at 20 per cent. St. Catherine accounted for 16 per cent, and St. Ann for 10 per cent.

The ISU itself took in 12,737 reports in 2025, two per cent more than the year prior. It closed inquiries on 11,723 cases and sent 12,000 outcome updates back to the NCR. By December 31, 2,359 cases remained on the unit’s books.

Among matters referred by CISOCA, the ISU dealt with 673 files: 568 sexual abuse, 19 physical abuse, 27 behavioural, and 59 others linked to neglect, abandonment, and financial issues.

The numbers underscore ongoing pressure on Jamaica’s child protection network as officials chase higher report volumes, push investigations forward, and try to get care and protection to children who need it.