Jonique Gaynor, Staff Reporter

Left: Pansy Henry, mother of Tyriq and Tyrone Henry and Moesha Lee, who were killed in 2004 speaks about how she has dealt with losing a child to violence, yesterday.   Right: Parents of murdered children, a member of the Jamaica Constabulary Force and guidance counsellors listening during THE STAR 'Hunt For Child Killers Forum', held at the Gleaner Office, North Street, Kingston, yesterday. - winston sill photos

In an effort to allow those directly affected by violence against children to share their experiences, discuss life since their tragedy and make recommendations, THE STAR hosted its Hunt For Child Killers Forum yesterday.

The forum was inspired by the Hunt for Child Killers campaign, an initiative spearheaded by the STAR and Crime Stop and designed to help the police solve the murders of nine children. The forum was chaired by STAR projects coordinator, Leighton Williams.

Those in attendance were Yvonne Bailey-Davidson, consultant psychiatrist in the Ministry of Health, Patricia Howell, a guidance counsellor at Rousseau Primary, one of the schools one of the victims attended, Superintendent Norman Heywoood of the Police Corporate Strategy and Planning branch and Eaton Williamson, a guidance counsellor at the Whitfield Town All-Age School. Ruth Green, Pansy Henry and Sophia Thompson, the mothers of five of the children who were murdered was also present.

Killing's the norm

Among the issues discussed was the fact that violence in communities inevitably extends into schools. Eaton Williamson mentioned that many children who live in volatile communities are exposed to violence on an almost daily basis and said, "Killing has become sort of a norm to them. Someone dying is part of the runnings. The kids are fed a constant diet of violence in the community."

Mrs.Bailey-Davidson also agreed and added that she constantly counselled children suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. She said, " I see a lot of kids that are exposed to violence - community violence and gang violence. Children are witnessing crimes and seeing dead bodies." The effect of this repeated exposure to violence was also discussed and according to the psychiatrist, this could include aggression, depression, insomnia and a change in performance at school.

Ruth Green, mother of Shanika Anderson, who was abducted, raped and killed, confirmed the psychiatrist's statements when she mentioned that her 11-year-old son began acting aggressively after his sister's death.

It became painfully obvious that the hurt of losing a child is never quick to fade as Toni-Ann Thomas' mother cried openly during the forum and declined to speak. The other parents also spoke about their grief and said they found it impossible to simply move on.

Both guidance counsellors said the murders of their students affected the school body and talked about the various strategies they used to help the children overcome. Both said they encouraged the students to use art, music and journal writing to express their feelings.

If you have info on the murder

Call: Crime Stop at 311