KINGSTON, Jamaica — Jamaica Youth Ambassador Sujae Boswell is calling for greater attention to be given to the nation’s youth. The plea comes mere days after the decomposing body of 15-year-old student Shineka Gray was found in Granville, St James.

“I would like to express my deepest sympathies to the families who have over time lost a child to the hands of predators. I know no words can be soothing enough to calm the pain that you feel,” Boswell said.

“It is a dark time in our nation’s history. If we as a country do not take decisive action now, then when will we? I remember about four years ago as president of the National Secondary Students’ Council, when numerous attacks on the nation’s children were seen. Fast forward four years later and the situation remains the same if not worst,” Boswell stated.

“If we witness a child being a victim of violence, we should take action and report it to the relevant authorities. Preventing and responding to violence against children must be a high priority for Jamaicans.

 “We cannot allow violence against children to be a commonplace of our society. It is time for us as a nation to get serious about child protection. Safeguarding our children’s future should not only be left to the parent or the security forces but we must as a collective society drive out violence against our most vulnerable,” Boswell insisted.

He urged students to walk in groups; young people are now forced to be more vigilant of their surroundings to ensure greater security.