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PSOJ launches Violence against Children Reward Fund

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Kingston, Jamaica, December 16, 2016 – The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) on Friday (December 16) launched its Violence against Children Reward Fund, which will reward persons who assist in the arrest and charge of persons who commit violent acts against children up to the age of 18 years.

These violent acts include murder, attempted murder, kidnapping, molestation, carnal abuse or child abuse.   Crime Stop Jamaica will manage the fund, and will be responsible for determining the value of each reward granted based on a case-by-case scenario.

Speaking at the press launch at the PSOJ’s offices on Hope Road, St. Andrew, Honorary Secretary, Eva Lewis, said the initiative will assist in reducing violence against the nation’s children.   She indicated that donors have already contributed $1.2 million to the Fund.  The Musson Foundation has provided $1 million, while Guardsman Group, Prime Asset Management, Charles Hyatt, FirstCaribbean Bank, Pan-Jam, GraceKennedy, Prism Communications and Sterling Asset Management have contributed $25,000 each.

Ms. Lewis said the Fund will be replenished by the membership of the organisation periodically.  Chief Executive Officer, Child Development Agency (CDA), Rosalee Gage-Grey, welcomed the establishment of the Fund.  She said violence against children cuts across boundaries of geography, race, class, religion and culture.  “The perpetrators of violence against our children are parents, family members, teachers, caretakers, law-enforcement authorities and other children. Some children are particularly vulnerable because of gender, race, ethnic origin, disability or social status,” she noted.

Chair, Musson Foundation, Melanie Subratie, said the protection and safety of the nation’s children is paramount and led to the foundation’s contribution to the initiative.  “As Jamaicans, I think we have grown tired of the abuse meted out to our children… . Our children represent our future and they are the ones who we are relying on to make for a more productive society,” she pointed out.

Chairman, Crime Stop, Major General Robert Neish, said the initiative is important as it provides additional funding in the fight against crime.  He assured that information provided to Crime Stop will be treated confidentially. “Each and every source of information, every piece of information, whether we have paid out a reward or not has been protected.  The integrity of the information, the integrity of the individuals, the safety and security of the individuals has always been the prime focus,” he said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police, George Quallo, said the fund represents a call to action by all law-abiding citizens for their individual and collective assistance in stamping out violence against children.   He noted that murder, rape and other sexual offences against children have trended down in 2016 in comparison to 2015.

There have been 40 reported murders, so far, this year, down from 61 in 2015. Rape has also declined from 352 to 234, and other sexual offences have been reduced from 463 to 261.

 

 

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DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM REGULATIONS INTRODUCES “RATE YOUR RIDE” SYSTEM FOR TOURISTS VISITING THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS

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FROM THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March, 2024 – Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands: The Department of Tourism Regulations is proud to unveil the “Rate Your Ride” system, a new initiative designed to enhance the vacation experience for tourists exploring our picturesque islands.

The “Rate Your Ride” system empowers tourists to provide valuable feedback on the quality of transportation services they receive while visiting the Turks and Caicos Islands. Through an easy-to-use online form, tourists can rate factors such as cleanliness, comfort, safety, and professionalism of drivers, helping us to assure the highest quality of service standards across all modes of transportation.

By participating in the “Rate Your Ride” system, tourists play a crucial role in shaping the future of transportation services in the Turks and Caicos Islands. Their feedback will enable us to identify areas for improvement and ensure that every visitor enjoys safe, comfortable, and convenient travel throughout their stay in the Turks and Caicos.

The code will also be publicly accessible through the cooperation of volunteer drivers who will make the rating code available in their vehicles. Flyers and stickers displaying the code will be distributed at hotels, resorts and airports. The mandated display of these codes is expected to align with the rollout of our tourism regulations in 2025.

For more information about the “Rate Your Ride” system and other initiatives by the Department of Tourism Regulations, please visit gov.tc/tourismregulations/or contact us via telephone at 946-4970 and email at tourismregulations@gov.tc.

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THE DEPARTMENT OF BEHAVIOURAL HEALTH SERVICES CONDEMNS RECORDING OF PERSONS WHO ARE IN CRISIS

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FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, 27th March 2024– The Department of Behavioral Health Services is appealing to the general public to refrain from recording and circulating videos of persons who may appear to be experiencing a mental health crisis. Anyone can experience a mental health crisis at some point in their life. According to the World Health Organization, 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in any given year. Persons may struggle with very common conditions such as Anxiety and Depression or be diagnosed with more serious conditions like Bipolar Disorder or Psychosis.

“There are a lot of misunderstandings about various mental health conditions and how they may manifest. In addition, there are a number of negative perceptions and misconceptions that society exhibits towards people with mental health problems. However, just as we would show care and concern for someone diagnosed with Cancer, or any other physical illness, in the same way, we need to be as caring and helpful to persons with mental illnesses”– stated Director of the Department of Behavioral Health Services, Dr. Alicia Malcolm.

The Department is urging the public to call the following numbers if you see someone who appears to be experiencing a mental health crisis:

338-5473/338-3616: Providenciales, North or Middle Caicos

338-3614/338-3612: Grand Turk, South Caicos, Salt Cay

338-6301: Nights and Weekends

If someone is putting themselves or someone else in immediate, serious risk of harm, call 911.

The Department of Behavioral Health services is here to help and provides the following services which are free and confidential:

Location of above services:

o             Sam Harvey Building, Down Town, Providenciales,

o             Primary Health Care Department, Cheshire Hall Medical Center, Providenciales 

o             Department of Behavioural Health, Duncombe Alley, Grand Turk

 

Let’s all do our part in creating a community where people with mental health problems feel respected, supported and cared for. 

For additional information, please visit the Ministry of Health’s Facebook page on https://www.facebook.com/tciministryofhealth/ or the Department of Behavioral Health Services Faceebook on https://www.facebook.com/TCIDBHS/.

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Breaking Ground: TCI Could Lead in Regional Communication Standards

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Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom, 27th March 2024: The PR, marketing, and communications sector is poised for potential growth and could lead the Caribbean region in terms of industry standards says Damian Wilson. Wilson’s suggestion comes after the release of a new research report into the current trends and future direction of the sector as a possible emerging industry in the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

Wilson is the report’s author, which conveys the findings of research which he initiated. “One of the key research results is the considerable optimism by industry practitioners and government alike, with persons seeing growth potential. I believe that we can become regional leaders in this field. I believe that one of the initiatives that could be used to do this is by establishing a ‘TCI Centre of Communications Excellence’ within the TCI Community College. Such an institute would be dedicated to communication and media innovation with a particular focus on digital communications and ICT,” says Wilson.

He further explained, “I believe that the PR, marketing, and communications sector, like much of the country, is at a crossroads and could have an even greater impact on our socio-economic fabric. Some may have concerns about our small size, but I believe this makes us far more agile than our neighbours. All in all, any potential growth must be underpinned by new investments, professional development, and a strategy to integrate the sector into the broader economy.”

Wilson also said that he sees his research as a first step in understanding our own industry sectors in the TCI and would love to see more profound research and analysis conducted. He’s hoping that the report will spark discussion along those lines. The report is entitled ‘Current Trends and Future Direction: A Preliminary Report on the PR, Marketing, and Communications Sector in the Turks & Caicos Islands’. Anyone wanting a copy of the report can contact Damian Wilson via his email, damian.wilson.pr@gmail.com.

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