The Ministry of Education, Youth and Information has set a September 6 date for the launch of its 211 helpline for use by children at risk of abuse or persons who wish to make a report.

This follows approval from the Office of Utilities Regulation.

Youth Minister Fayval Williams announced the launch date while making a statement to the House of Representatives on Tuesday (July 13).

READ: Fayval Williams | Updating Jamaica on children and youth

“This helpline will be manned 24 hours by childcare professionals and will be a significant addition to the Child Protection ecosystem,” Williams said.

“We will be running a national campaign to inform Jamaicans of this new helpline, as we will transition it to be the main helpline for reporting child abuse in Jamaica.”

In addition, the Ministry, through the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA), will be embarking on a Positive or Good Parenting Campaign in an effort to empower Jamaican parents to raise happy, healthy and smart children.

The Ministry will also be embarking on a Corporal Punishment Campaign, where parents will be encouraged to try positive discipline. Both campaigns will run for a total of four years in separate phases.

“The Ministry is preparing to go to tender to engage a public relations company to lead this activity,” Williams said.