NATIONAL Task Force against Trafficking in Persons (NATFATIP) Chairman Carol Palmer is calling on citizens to be more vigilant in protecting the nation’s children from predators.

“Be wise. Open your eyes. Spot them, stop them, report them,” the chairman urged.

Palmer, who was recently appointed permanent secretary in the Ministry of Science, Energy and Technology, made the plea during a ceremony for the handing over of a $1-million cheque to the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA) and NATFATIP by the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA) in Kingston on Wednesday.

The donation, which will be shared equally between the entities, will help to bolster their investigation of crimes against children.

Palmer, who received the cheque on behalf of NATFATIP, lauded the police for their cooperation as well as JHTA, whose partnership and donations over the past three years have helped to strengthen the activities of the task force.

“What we need now is to be more armed to protect and secure children that we see in our space, so that we prevent these terrible situations from happening to them,” Palmer said, adding that more partnerships are needed to strengthen the NATFATIP and its public education programme.

Palmer’s plea came on the heels of the murder of eight-year-old Shantae Skyers, whose body was discovered in bushes in Sterling Castle Heights, St Andrew, on Tuesday. Shantae, who had gone missing last week Thursday, was a student of Red Hills Primary.

Two people, who the police say are being questioned, have since been taken into custody in connection with her death.

A man was also beaten and burnt beyond recognition in the community on Wednesday afternoon, allegedly in connection with the little girl’s death.

At the same time, Palmer said the NATFATIP secured a guilty verdict in the Supreme Court recently, and is anticipating sentencing.

— Racquel Porter