PRESIDENT of the National Parent-Teacher Association Stewart Jacobs is calling for research to be done on the psyche of individuals who are convicted for brutal crimes such as the slaughter of eight-year-old Danielle Rowe who was abducted from her school in St Catherine on June 8 and her throat slashed before she was left on the street miles away.

“There might be a high incidence of mental illness that is causing some of this, and so a holistic study should be done, when you catch these criminals; study them, psychoanalyse them as to ‘what led you to this?’ and ‘the moment you were doing it what did you think? How did you think they you were going to get off? What have you gained from it?’ Rowe said, suggesting probing questions for such studies.

He was speaking in the wake of the declaration by Governor General Sir Patrick Allen that Friday, June 23, 2023 be observed as a National Day of Mourning for Rowe and condemning violence and ill-treatment of children.

Jamaicans are being asked to wear full black or something black, turn on their motor vehicle headlamps and gather in solidarity in their spaces on Friday. The move is being spearheaded by the custodes of Jamaica in collaboration with justices of the peace in association with the Jamaica Teachers’ Association, Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica, Parenting Association, National Neighbourhood Watch Movement, National Child Month Committee, Jamaica Umbrella Group of Churches and other stakeholder groups.

Rowe, a student of Braeton Primary, was taken from her school by an unidentified woman and transported to Roosevelt Avenue St Andrew where her throat was slashed and she was thrown from the vehicle. She was found and taken to Bustamante Hospital for Children where she died a day later.

Jacobs, noting the strong support of several entities and political representatives however, said the initiative should not peter out at midnight on Friday.

“In summary I want to say that the initiative is a very good one, it is a strong message that is being sent. I urge all Jamaicans to participate wholeheartedly. But come the 24th they must be planning the next step, and the next step must be that it will not happen again and that those thinking of it must think twice because the penalties are going be so harsh. Preachers must, from the pulpit come Sunday morning, be talking about it. Schools must be talking about it. The media must be pushing it,” Jacobs stated.

Delivering remarks at the function to launch the proclamation on Wednesday, Justice Minister Delroy Chuck said “Jamaicans are deeply saddened by recent events that have impacted our nation and caused profound grief and loss among our citizens”.

“The Government wholeheartedly supports this proclamation to make Friday, June 23, 2023 a day when all well-thinking Jamaicans are encouraged to wear black to remember and mourn the victims of violence. By wearing black on Friday, we aim to send a clear message inviting every Jamaican to recognise that our children are precious and deserve our care, attention and protection,” Chuck said.

“This proposed Day of Mourning, Awareness and Remembrance should not only be a time to reflect on the lives lost but also an opportunity to show compassion and support for more than a day, and to offer comfort and solace to those who are grieving, reminding them that they are not alone in their pain. Simultaneously, we must strive to prevent similar tragedies from occurring again,” Chuck stated.

The proclamation comes after the National Neighbourhood Watch Movement of Jamaica had, on Friday, June 9, called for a period of mourning following the murder of the eight-year-old.

In a release on Saturday following news that Rowe had succumbed to the injuries she sustained, a call to wear black was made.

“I am calling on all 19 divisions of the NHW Movement to take a stand in your divisions on Thursday, June 15, 2023 from 12 noon to 2:00 pm, let us wear black as we mourn,” Dr Asha Mwendo, president of the group, appealed.

“We must let it be known that we will never accept nor normalise criminality in any of its forms. We say no to the murdering of our children…,” the group said at the time.