THE Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network (JYAN) is calling for the convening of a joint select committee of Parliament to probe and propose legislative, administrative and policy interventions to protect Jamaica’s women and children.

In a media release on Thursday in response to the killing of 10-year-old Shani “Kaidra” Coke in Troy, Trelawny, on Tuesday, JYAN said the new parliamentary committee must act with alacrity to be vigilant in reviewing the legislation and interrogating agencies with specialised responsibilities to protect Jamaica’s women and children.

According to JYAN, the remedies for violence against women and children often require different solutions and strategies than those best suited for general gang- and gun-motivated violence.

JYAN argued that parliamentary committees were previously convened with responsibility for individual pieces of legislation in isolation, however, legislative issues are often interconnected, with provisions in one law influencing or affecting the implementation and interpretation of others.

“An approach that looks at the framework as a whole, addressing gaps and weaknesses across the board, will be significant,” said JYAN.

Policy and advocacy coordinator at JYAN Shanielle Allen said: “Political priority must be given to protecting our vulnerable groups beyond statements of remorse. Both the posture and the actions of the Government and all stakeholders must signal a no-tolerance approach to the victimisation of our children, with the preventative measures and punishments that present as strong deterrents.”

JYAN said it strongly condemns the killing of Shani and argued that allegations that she was subject to sexual violence before her death make this tragedy even more horrific.

“As a country, we must confront the grim but true reality that our attempts to protect our children are inadequate and met with a relaxed sense of urgency. Every child has the right to grow up in a safe environment.

“Currently, our Jamaican children face threats of violence in their homes, communities, and schools. Yet, the national tone seems to be one of remorse instead of a swift desire to ‘stand on business’ by taking action to protect our most vulnerable,” the group charged.

It pointed out that in its 2025 #YouthAgainstViolence Call to Action, young people made it clear that preventing family violence and gender-based violence must become a national priority.

JYAN has also called for expanded public awareness campaigns; increased support services for survivors of family and sexual violence; specialised training for teachers, social workers, health-care providers, and other child-serving professionals to identify and respond to abuse; and stronger collaboration between government, schools, communities, and civil society to deliver sustained prevention programmes.

“We also urge greater investment in targeted, preventative programmes for boys and young men, led by positive male role models and delivered in partnership with civil society organisations that have established expertise in youth engagement and gender equality. Our response cannot continue to focus primarily on teaching girls how to protect themselves after becoming victims; we must proactively prevent boys and men from becoming perpetrators,” said JYAN.

It added that Shani’s death must not become another statistic.

“It must be a turning point. Every child deserves to grow up safe, protected, and free from violence. Jamaica owes its children nothing less,” declared JYAN.