The Private Sector Organisation of Jamaica (PSOJ) said is horrified and deeply saddened by the brutal and senseless rape and murder of 9-year-old Kelsey Ferrigon in St Catherine, whose body was found last Friday.

“As we observe Child Month, this heinous act is a painful reminder of how far we must go to protect the most vulnerable among us—our children,” the PSOJ said in a statement on Monday.

“This tragedy is not only a violation of human decency and the rights of a child; it represents a deeper national crisis that is undermining Jamaica’s social cohesion, stability, and economic progress. The private sector and civil society cannot remain silent in the face of such inhumanity. We must confront the culture of violence that continues to claim innocent lives and threaten our future,” the powerful business group added.

“To the government of Jamaica, we say, let this moment not pass without meaningful action. Let it serve as a national turning point. Justice must be pursued to the fullest extent of the law—and if the law fails to safeguard our children, then it is our duty to reform it to ensure that it does,” the PSOJ said.

The PSOJ said every act of violence—especially against children—”drains national morale, deters investment, and contributes to the breakdown of trust in our justice and security systems”. It said a society cannot grow, attract opportunities, or prosper when its children are not safe in their communities.

Ferrigon was found dead in a barrel at her home on Job Lane in Spanish Town, St Catherine, on Friday. The police subsequently listed Giovanni Ellis as a suspect.

However, Ellis was fatally shot during a reported shootout with the police in the Sandy Bay area of Clarendon on Monday.

In its statement on Monday, the PSOJ called for a deeper analysis of the country’s justice system, echoing that ‘justice delayed is justice denied.’ All acts of crime, particularly those perpetrated against children and our most vulnerable, must be adjudicated with great fervour and urgency. Lengthy delays in the handing down of verdicts just won’t do. As we celebrate the progress being made in the fight against crime, with cautious optimism, we must also place the spotlight on our justice system. True peace will only come when justice is realised for everyone. There is work to be done yet,” the PSOJ said. 

The PSOJ calls for the following critical steps:

1. Develop and enforce a cross-ministerial framework that prioritises the safety, education, and mental well-being of children, especially in vulnerable and underserved communities.
2. Strengthen partnerships between law enforcement, schools, faith-based groups, and civil society to establish early-warning systems and support networks for at-risk youth and families.
3. Improve the justice system to enable the delivery of more timely and well-reasoned verdicts. (We challenge the government to establish and work toward attaining best practice timelines for the completion of murder trials from the date of charge or arrest and implement dedicated homicide case tracks to prioritise and streamline murder trials where these involve children.)
4. Provide trauma-informed support for victims and affected families.

“Importantly, we also urge greater consistency and visibility from all sectors of civil society, including human rights organisations, in advocating for the protection of our nation’s children. The silence surrounding these tragedies must be replaced by a unified and resolute call for justice, accountability, and prevention. When the lives of innocent children are taken so senselessly, we do not only grieve with their families—we suffer a collective loss of promise, potential, and national progress. The future of our country depends on the safety and survival of our youngest citizens.

“As the umbrella body for the private sector, the PSOJ affirms that businesses have a stake in the well-being of our children. They are not merely our future workforce and innovators—they are a reflection of the society we are building. Jamaica’s development cannot be sustained if our children are left vulnerable to violence and neglect.

“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the grieving family, and we stand in solidarity with all Jamaicans who believe that every child deserves to grow up in peace, dignity, and safety.”