Sargeant Charmaine Audain sat down with Mr. Terrence James, an officer in the Child Justice Unit within the Probation and Child Protection Services, to highlight one central truth: good parenting begins at home, and it can make a powerful difference in preventing youth crime.

James explained that the Child Justice Unit works with juveniles facing challenges such as truancy, behavioral issues, and peer pressure. He emphasized that children mirror what they see, making stable, loving homes essential for raising confident and responsible youth. Poor supervision or overwhelmed parents, he noted, often leave children seeking belonging elsewhere, sometimes in negative peer groups.

The importance of early intervention was also discussed:

Mr. Terrence James. The department offers counseling, family mediation, behavior-management programs, and school support to help families regain stability. James encouraged parents to watch for early warning signs such as changes in attitude, secrecy, negative friends, slipping grades, and to seek help early rather than giving up.

He reminded listeners that parents are not alone and that the ministry’s doors remain open. “Our goal is to strengthen families, not break them,” he said. Persons can contact the department at 467 1311.