FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 12, 2025
The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) is horrified and deeply saddened by the brutal and senseless rape and murder of a 9-year-old girl in St. Catherine. As we observe Child Month, this heinous act is a painful reminder of how far we must go to protect the most vulnerable among us—our children.
This tragedy is not only a violation of human decency and the rights of a child; it represents a deeper national crisis that is undermining Jamaica’s social cohesion, stability, and economic progress. The private sector and civil society cannot remain silent in the face of such inhumanity. We must confront the culture of violence that continues to claim innocent lives and threaten our future.
Every act of violence—especially against children—drains national morale, deters investment, and contributes to the breakdown of trust in our justice and security systems. A society cannot grow, attract opportunities, or prosper when its children are not safe in their communities.
The PSOJ is calling for the immediate and thorough investigation of this case, and the swift apprehension and prosecution of the perpetrator(s). Justice must not only be done—it must be seen to be done swiftly & to the full effect of the law, to reaffirm the rule of law and signal that we will not tolerate violence against our children.
This is also a call for a deeper analysis of our justice system, as ‘justice delayed, is justice denied.’ All acts of crime, particularly those perpetrated against children and our most vulnerable, must be adjudicated with great fervour and urgency. Lengthy delays in the handing down of verdicts just won’t do! As we celebrate the progress being made in the fight against crime, with cautious optimism, we must also place the spotlight on our justice system. True peace will only come when justice is realised for everyone. There is work to be done yet!
We call for the following critical steps:
- Develop and enforce a cross-ministerial framework that prioritises the safety, education, and mental well-being of children—especially in vulnerable and underserved communities.
- Strengthen partnerships between law enforcement, schools, faith-based groups, and civil society to establish early-warning systems and support networks for at-risk youth and families.
- Improve our justice system to enable the delivery of more timely and well-reasoned verdicts. (We challenge the government to establish and work toward attaining best practice timelines for the completion of murder trials from the date of charge or arrest and implementing dedicated homicide case tracks to prioritise and streamline murder trials where these involve children.)
- Provide trauma-informed support for victims and affected families.
Importantly, we also urge greater consistency and visibility from all sectors of civil society, including human rights organisations, in advocating for the protection of our nation’s children. The silence surrounding these tragedies must be replaced by a unified and resolute call for justice, accountability, and prevention. When the lives of innocent children are taken so senselessly, we do not only grieve with their families—we suffer a collective loss of promise, potential, and national progress. The future of our country depends on the safety and survival of our youngest citizens.
As the umbrella body for the private sector, the PSOJ affirms that businesses have a stake in the well-being of our children. They are not merely our future workforce and innovators—they are a reflection of the society we are building. Jamaica’s development cannot be sustained if our children are left vulnerable to violence and neglect.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to the grieving family, and we stand in solidarity with all Jamaicans who believe that every child deserves to grow up in peace, dignity, and safety.
To the government of Jamaica, we say, let this moment not pass without meaningful action. Let it serve as a national turning point. Justice must be pursued to the fullest extent of the law—and if the law fails to safeguard our children, then it is our duty to reform it to ensure that it does.
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Contact:
Andrew Laidley
Public Relations and Marketing Executive
Marketing and Business Development Department
The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica
Email: andrewl@psoj.org Call: 1 876-809-2617