Youth Minister Senator Dr Dana Morris Dixon has signalled that stricter penalties for people who harm children are being formatted as the Government takes a more aggressive approach to tackling violence and abuse against the nation’s most vulnerable.

Morris Dixon made the declaration Tuesday during a lamentation service held at Kingston Parish Church, under the theme ‘Shalom: Embracing and Promoting Wholeness in National Life.’

The youth minister emphasised that protecting children must be a collaborative effort, and called for the church to take a more active role in helping young people navigate life’s challenges.

“As we lament today, as we lament what is happening with our children, we have to again come with a plan,” she said. “With all the challenges that they have, it is absolutely important that we move our lamentation to actual work to protect our children.”

Morris Dixon also pointed to upcoming legislative changes.

“On Friday, I urge all of you to listen to the Senate session because there will be some Bills that will be amended. I think you will be happy to see those amendments made. It starts with the House and there will be some additional amendments that look at how we treat with violence against children, especially the murder of our children,” she said. “As an Administration we are doing more than just talk; we are actually looking at how we can make the penalties impartial for people who harm our children.”

The service saw participation from St Aloysius Primary School grade six students who processed baskets filled with shoes and flowers in honour of children lost to violence.

Father Sean Major-Campbell, who led the service, recited the names and circumstances of children who have died violently, including nine-year-old Kelsey Ferrigon, whose body was found stuffed in a barrel at her home on Job Lane, Spanish Town, St Catherine, on May 9; and four-year-old Gia Grinnell, who died later in the month from a gunshot wound sustained at her Ingleside home in Mandeville.

Hear the Children’s Cry spokeswoman Priscilla Duhaney used the occasion to reintroduce the group’s proposed 10-year national strategy to reduce child abuse and reshape societal norms around violence.

She called on the Government for funding and support, noting the plan will include the formation of a task force over three months and collaboration with advocacy groups, schools, and churches.

Duhaney said she hopes the initiative will lead to measurable outcomes such as reduced child abuse cases, fewer matters brought before the Family Court, increased parental involvement in school life, and a decrease in domestic violence.

“Our goal is to have this project be part of the 2026-2027 budget,” she said.

Jamaica Council of Churches President Christine Gooden-Benguche reiterated her organisation’s commitment to not only advocate but also be part of the national change.

She appealed to the congregation to “never forget the children that died in this country. It must be brought to light. We must remember them.”