Stop condemning and create laws!

THE EDITOR, Sir:

WHEN WILL our politicians stop condemning crimes against children and make the move to implement the required legislation to keep Jamaica’s children safe?

It is a question that has been lurking in the depths of my mind since the discovery of the body of Yetanya Francis. The response from politicians, specifically Prime Minister Andrew Holness, was to condemn the killing of the young and promising female, but up to this date, nothing has been written – not one bill has been passed that deals with how children are treated in this society.

In fact, what followed was the death of other young girls – Shanoya Wray, Raven Wilson, Shantae Skyers, Tricia Morris … names being added one after the other … never ending while all our political representatives do is condemn and condemn.

The rate at which our children go missing is alarming and concerning because no one can tell where they are and oftentimes, if a child returns, he or she might not say where he or she had gone. Times are changing and our children are changing. The rapid disappearance has a negative impact as since the beginning of the year, 14 children have been murdered, 83 raped, 49 were victims of grievous sexual assault, and one committed

suicide.

What else can be done? How can we keep our children safe from predators? The ones who are strangers and the others who identify as family? What laws can we create to protect them? And what law can we use against those who hurt them? So many questions and hundreds of solutions, but sadly, the Government has the last say. However, as far as I CAN SEE – the Government is doing more for the economy and less for our children.

TAKE A STAND

Every year, there are Child Month activities throughout the month of May. Every year, the wreath-laying ceremony at the 11-year-old Secret Gardens and Monument on the corner of Tower and Church streets in downtown Kingston is held. Every year, we hear the same outcry for 31 days and then NOTHING until another child is hurt.

The Government needs to take a stand. Do something about the issue. While PM Holness declares his state of emergency, another child is being hurt. People in communities know, but it is for our political representatives to refrain from simply condemning and create the legislation so that justice can be served and served in great quantity.