Fi We Children Foundation calls for sex offenders registry to be made public

The Fi We Children Foundation has joined calls for the sex offenders registry to be made public, following the rape and murder of 10-year-old Shani Coke in Trelawny.

The accused man, Delroy Coke, was killed by angry residents.

It’s alleged that the man had a history of committing sexual assaults and had recently been released from prison. 

In a statement, the foundation said making the registry public would allow parents, guardians, schools, child care institutions and communities to identify convicted sexual offenders living in their neighbourhoods and take appropriate steps to protect children.

The foundation said Coke’s death underscores the urgent need to strengthen Jamaica’s child protection system through legislative and policy reform.

It is calling for a comprehensive review of the child care and protection act to better safeguard children from sexual abuse and exploitation.

The foundation is also advocating stronger prevention and early intervention measures to identify children at risk, along with increased investment in child protection services, including investigations, victim support and community based prevention programmes.

The foundation said that while Jamaica has enacted important child protection laws and policies, implementation remains a persistent challenge, adding that intervention too often comes only after a child has suffered irreparable harm.

In condemning acts of vigilante justice, the foundation said accountability must be pursued through the rule of law to ensure justice is served while protecting the integrity of criminal investigations.

The foundation also urged the media to carefully consider the ethical implications of publishing photographs of child victims, saying reporting should preserve the dignity of children and avoid causing further harm to grieving families.