JYAN calls for Joint Select Committee focused on protecting the vulnerable from violence

The Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network (JYAN) strongly condemns the killing of 10-year-old Shani Coke of Trelawny. 

The allegations that she was subjected to sexual violence before her death make this tragedy even more horrific.

As a country, we must confront the grim but true reality that our attempts to protect our children are inadequate and met with a relaxed sense of urgency. Every child has the right to grow up in a safe environment. Currently, our Jamaican children face threats of violence in their homes, communities, and schools. Yet the national tone seems to be one of remorse instead of a swift desire to “stand on business” by taking action to protect our most vulnerable.

JYAN is calling for the convening of a Joint Select Committee of Parliament with a function to probe and propose legislative, administrative and policy interventions to protect Jamaica’s most vulnerable. This Committee must act with alacrity to be vigilant in reviewing the legislation and interrogating agencies with specialised responsibilities to protect Jamaica’s women and children. 

The remedies for violence against women and children often require different solutions and strategies than the general gang- and gun-motivated violence. Committees were previously convened with the responsibility for individual pieces of legislation in isolation. However, legislative issues are often interconnected, with provisions in one law influencing or affecting the implementation and interpretation of others. An approach that looks at the framework as a whole, addressing gaps and weaknesses across the board, will be significant.

Policy and Advocacy Coordinator at JYAN, Shanielle Allen commented, “Political priority must be given to protecting our vulnerable groups, beyond statements of remorse. Both the posture and the actions of the government and all stakeholders must signal a no-tolerance approach to the victimisation of our children with the preventative measures and punishments that present as strong deterrents”.

In JYAN’s 2025 #YouthAgainstViolence Call to Action, young people made it clear that preventing family violence and gender-based violence must become a national priority. JYAN calls for expanded public awareness campaigns, increased support services for survivors of family and sexual violence, specialised training for teachers, social workers, healthcare providers, and other child-serving professionals to identify and respond to abuse, and stronger collaboration between government, schools, communities, and civil society to deliver sustained prevention programmes.

We also urge greater investment in targeted, preventative programmes for boys and young men, led by positive male role models and delivered in partnership with civil society organisations that have established expertise in youth engagement and gender equality. Our response cannot continue to focus primarily on teaching girls how to protect themselves after becoming victims; we must proactively prevent boys and men from becoming perpetrators.

Shani’s death must not become another statistic. It must be a turning point. Every child deserves to grow up safe, protected, and free from violence. Jamaica owes its children nothing less.