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The National Children’s Registry (NCR) received over 14,000 reports of child abuse and other care and protection concerns in 2025 representing a 5% increase over the number of reports received in 2024.

Data show that 14,602 reports were made last year compared to 13,918 reports received the year before.

This information is contained in the Planning Institute of Jamaica’s (PIOJ) Economic and Social Survey Jamaica 2025 which was tabled in the House of Representatives on June 30.

The report noted that 31,591 incidents of abuse were recorded with the most common categories being behavioural problems, neglect and need for care and protection.

According to the JIS, the document stated that the reports of abuse received when assessed by incident type are usually greater than the total number of reports received.

“Investigations were completed for 11,723 with 10,649 being referred to both internal (Investigation Services Unit) and external partners such as 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.”

Geographically, Kingston accounted for the largest share of reports referred for investigation at 20% followed by St. Catherine with 16% and St. Ann with 10%.

The Investigation Services Unit (ISU) received 12,737 reports, representing a two per cent increase compared with the corresponding period in the previous year.

Additionally, the ISU completed investigations into 11,723 cases while 12,000 updates detailing investigation outcomes were submitted to the NCR.

The document further stated that “as of December 31, the ISU had a caseload of 2,359 cases.”

The ISU also actioned 673 cases referred by CISOCA, comprising 568 sexual abuse cases, 19 physical abuse cases, 27 behavioural cases and 59 cases classified as ‘other’ including matters related to finance, neglect and abandonment.