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For many Jamaican children, home does not always provide the safety and peace that adults often presume. Behind closed doors, some children are exposed to threats, witness physical altercations, observe a parent being assaulted, or endure harsh punishment. Although these children may not display visible injuries at school, they carry emotional trauma into the classroom, church, community, and ultimately into adulthood.

These children are often labelled as rude, aggressive, withdrawn, disobedient, or “hard ears.” They may be punished for fighting, sleeping in class, refusing to participate, underperforming academically, or reacting angrily to correction. However, a more critical question is frequently overlooked: What experiences has this child endured?

Research on children exposed to family violence demonstrates that witnessing violence can be traumatic, even when the child is not physically harmed. Repeated exposure can impair emotional regulation, concentration, memory, behaviour, relationships, and a child’s understanding of safety. Some children may become constantly alert, easily startled, unusually fearful, or emotionally numb. Others may respond aggressively because their minds and bodies have adapted to expect danger. 

In summary, behaviours perceived as misconduct may actually represent a child’s attempts to cope with adverse circumstances.

The Urgency of Addressing the Data in Jamaica

The 2023 Jamaica Violence Against Children and Youth Survey reveals a troubling national reality. According to UNICEF Jamaica, more than three in every four Jamaican children and young people surveyed have experienced some form of violence during their lifetime. More than half of girls and nearly two-thirds of boys have experienced physical violence. (UNICEF)

The problem begins well before adolescence. Approximately 76 per cent of Jamaican children between the ages of one and 14 have experienced violent discipline, while 68 per cent have experienced psychological aggression as a form of discipline. These figures challenge the belief that violence against children is confined to a few exceptionally abusive households. It is linked to prevailing attitudes about discipline, authority, masculinity, obedience, and what families consider private matters. (UNICEF)

Cultural expressions such as “licks kill nobody,” “a fi mi pickney,” and “stay out of man and woman business” remain widespread. While these statements may be familiar, they often perpetuate silence about suffering and cause adults to minimise the experiences of children who are distressed by events within their homes.

Domestic violence remains a significant national concern. The Jamaica Constabulary Force reported that more than 7,000 domestic violence cases were recorded in 2025, with 34 murders linked to domestic violence incidents. These are only the cases known to authorities. Many more situations remain concealed because victims fear retaliation, financial hardship, public embarrassment, or the possible breakup of the family. (Jamaica Information Service)

Each domestic violence case involving a household with children should be regarded as a potential child protection and mental health concern.

Emotional Harm Without Physical Contact

A child who hears a parent screaming for help may experience intense fear and helplessness. A young boy who witnesses his mother being beaten may begin to believe that violence is how men exercise authority. A girl who repeatedly observes abuse may come to accept controlling or violent behaviour as a normal aspect of intimate relationships.

Some children attempt to protect the victim. They may intervene between fighting adults, hide younger siblings, call a relative, or seek help from a neighbour. Others remain silent because they have been warned not to disclose what happens at home.

The child may arrive at school tired after a night of conflict. He may become aggressive if another student touches him unexpectedly. She may struggle to complete assignments because she is preoccupied with concerns about her mother’s safety at home. Teachers may observe inattentiveness. Guidance counsellors may identify oppositional behaviour. Parents may perceive disrespect. The police may eventually encounter delinquency. However, beneath all these presentations may lie an untreated traumatic response. 

Research also indicates that symptoms associated with trauma can sometimes resemble attention difficulties, conduct problems, depression, or anxiety. This does not imply that every behavioural problem is caused by family violence. Rather, assessments must consider the child’s broader life context and not focus solely on the behaviour being displayed.

Challenging the Normalisation of Violence as Discipline

Discipline is necessary, but it should instruct rather than instil fear. There is a clear distinction between establishing boundaries and using fear, humiliation, or physical force to control a child.

Shouting insults, threatening abandonment, severely beating children, comparing them unfavourably with siblings, and publicly humiliating them can damage their developing sense of identity. A child who is repeatedly called worthless, wicked, or stupid may eventually internalise those descriptions.

This does not require parents to relinquish authority. Instead, it involves supporting parents in developing healthier disciplinary methods, such as establishing clear expectations, consistent consequences, age-appropriate responsibilities, calm communication, and modelling respectful behaviour.  

Seeking parenting support should not be viewed as an admission of failure. Many parents raise children while managing unresolved trauma from their own childhoods, and some may repeat the only parenting methods they have known. Breaking this cycle requires education, support, and accountability.

The Need for Trauma-Informed Practices in Schools

Jamaican schools are often the first settings where the effects of family violence become apparent. Teachers and guidance counsellors require training to recognise possible signs of trauma, including sudden behavioural changes, persistent aggression, withdrawal, declining grades, frequent absences, unexplained injuries, excessive fear, poor concentration, and unusual concern for the safety of family members. Beyond recognising these signs, educators can implement practical trauma-informed strategies in daily interactions. Creating safe, welcoming classroom environments, checking in privately with distressed students, and establishing predictable routines help children feel secure. Rather than relying on reactive discipline, teachers can use restorative conversations to help students express emotions, repair relationships, and understand the impact of their actions. Building trusting relationships, offering choices when appropriate, and responding to challenging behaviour with empathy instead of punishment are essential. These approaches enable teachers to support students recovering from trauma and foster an environment where children feel valued and protected.

Schools must continue to uphold standards and enforce consequences. Trauma-informed practice does not mean allowing children to act without boundaries; rather, it involves addressing behaviour while exploring underlying causes.

Before a child is repeatedly suspended, labelled, or removed from the learning environment, an appropriate psychosocial assessment should be conducted. School personnel should know how to make referrals and communicate with children without using leading, threatening, or judgmental questions.

Jamaica’s own framework for ending violence against children calls for stronger partnerships among law enforcement, health services, child-protection agencies, schools and civil society. It also recognises that childhood violence can contribute to anxiety, depression, learning difficulties, school dropout, substance misuse, self-harm and later involvement in violence. (UNICEF)

Addressing this crisis requires coordinated efforts across multiple institutions.

The Role of Churches and Communities in Advocacy

Churches hold a trusted position in many Jamaican communities, but they must avoid treating domestic violence solely as a private marital issue. Prayer is important, but it must never be used to pressure a victim or child to remain in danger. 

Pastors, youth leaders and Sunday-school teachers should be trained to recognise abuse, understand mandatory reporting responsibilities and make appropriate referrals. Schools and churches can enhance their impact by collaborating through joint training sessions on child protection, establishing referral networks, and developing shared protocols for responding when a child’s safety is at risk. These partnerships help ensure that children and families receive coordinated support. Counselling should never replace safety, legal protection or professional treatment.

Neighbours and relatives should reject the notion that reporting abuse constitutes interference in family matters. Silence does not protect the family; it perpetuates violence.

Shifting the Focus from Punishment to Protection

Jamaica has strengthened its domestic violence legislation, expanded intervention services, and established reporting mechanisms. However, these laws will have limited impact if victims are afraid to report, children are not believed, and agencies lack the personnel and resources to respond promptly. (Jamaica Information Service). The Child Protection and Family Services Agency received 13,531 reports during 2023/24, including 6,314 distress calls through the 211 child-abuse reporting helpline. This volume should prompt us to examine not only how reports are received, but also how quickly families receive protection, assessment, counselling, and follow-up support. (Jamaica Information Service).

It is essential to move beyond responding only to cases of severe injury or fatality. Early intervention can prevent prolonged psychological suffering and reduce the likelihood of intergenerational violence.

Children exposed to violence need adults who listen, believe, protect, and support them, rather than dismiss, shame, or instruct them to simply endure Jamaica’s genuine concern for children is demonstrated not through post-tragedy speeches, but through proactive responses when a child becomes unusually quiet, when a student’s behaviour changes abruptly, when repeated distress is observed, or when a young person expresses, “I do not feel safe at home.”

That child is not being “too sensitive”. That child may be traumatised.

And that child is depending on us to act.

Suspected child abuse or neglect can be reported confidentially and free of cost by calling the CPFSA’s 24-hour hotline at 211. Persons facing immediate danger should call the police at 119. The national domestic violence hotline for women is 876-553-0372, while men may call 876-553-0387.

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Dr. Paul A. Blake, PsyD, Paediatric Psychologist