Amplifying The Voices Of The Future – CISOCA’s Advocacy And Outreach

Amplifying The Voices Of The Future – CISOCA’s Advocacy And Outreach

During the month of May, the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA) has ramped up its outreach and advocacy campaigns as it seeks to secure the future of the nation through the protection and empowerment of children. Several activities have been initiated for the month of May, aimed at providing opportunities for children to be seen, protected, and heard.

On Thursday, May 14, as a continuation of its campaign, the law enforcement body hosted the “All About Me” advocacy workshop on the grounds of the Office of the Commissioner of Police under the theme, Prioritising Our Children’s Mental Health: Strong Minds, Safer Future.

Students from Oberlin High School, Kingston Technical High School, Camperdown High School, Ardenne High School, Tarrant High School, and Dunoon Park Technical High School were given a platform to voice their opinions on issues affecting them through interactions with their peers at school and with their families at home. It is important for young people to be afforded opportunities to have their voices heard, and this initiative provided exactly that. The workshop also gave students an opportunity to reflect on how various daily encounters affect their emotions and wellbeing.

Speaking with Ms. Kerry-Ann Bailey, Superintendent of Police in charge of CISOCA, she said, “The aim of this event, our advocacy workshop dubbed ‘All About Me,’ was designed to allow them to have a voice.”

This mandate was achieved as the teens radiated excitement while engaging in panel discussions moderated by Corporal Shantel Powell, the 2025/26 LASCO Top Cop. They expressed how they are affected by external events while being coached on different ways to cope with and respond to these experiences.

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Wayne Josephs, during his address, highlighted the importance of creating safe spaces for children to express themselves, fostering stronger mental and emotional wellbeing. The seasoned detective indicated that this is a critical building block for the nation’s future.

“As a society, we often speak about building safer communities, reducing violence, improving education, and creating opportunities for our young people. However, we must recognise that none of these goals can truly be achieved unless we first pay attention to the mental and emotional wellbeing of our children,” said Mr. Josephs.

The Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse has started the conversation and begun the work to address and solve the issues of tomorrow by creating platforms for the voices of the future.