KINGSTON, Jamaica — State Minister in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, Floyd Green says the National Plan of Action for an Integrated Response to Violence & Children (NPACV), which seeks to address violence against children, will be implemented in the first quarter of the week.

Green was responding to what he described as the “wicked and heartless” murder of 14-year-old Shanique Clarke on Sunday.

According to the police, Shanique was among a group of people when they were attacked by a lone gunman who opened fire on them. Three other people were injured in the incident.

“This marks the first murder of a child for this new year and we must ensure that each murder troubles our collective consciousness because the loss of even one child under these circumstances is too much. I therefore am appealing to persons who may have witnessed the killing of young Shanique or who has information, to come forward and provide the police with information that will assist in their investigation,” Green urged.

The minister also stated that a team of first responders from the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) visited the scene of the incident yesterday and provided initial grief counseling, while a home visit is scheduled during the course of the week to provide further intervention to the family of the deceased.

He said more stringent measures will be enforced this year to promote the rights and ensure the protection of children from all forms of violence, noting that the National Plan of Action is completed and is before cabinet.

NPACV provides a coordinated and structured approach to addressing the key issues and challenges pertaining to children as victims, perpetrators and witnesses of acts of violence and abuse of children in Jamaica.

Additionally, the minister noted that with the report from the joint select committee which was being laid in the house, the way is now clear for harsher penalties to be implemented against these “heartless criminals who continue to hurt our children”.

 Expressing condolences to Shanique’s family, the minister said it is hoped that the lives of our children will be protected and preserved by all, and encouraged everyone to join the ministry’s efforts in its every child deserves protection campaign.