Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter

Blaine

Betty-Ann Blaine, convenor of Hear the Children's Cry, wants the Jamaican authorities to produce a psychological mapping of child killers to increase public awareness about the behaviours of predators.

"The only way we can find a solution to the problem is to know what's in the minds of these killers," Blaine told The Gleaner Monday.

Her suggestions come after a body believed to be that of 11-year-old Ananda Dean, who went missing on September 17, was found in Belvedere, St Andrew, on Sunday.

But psychologist Dr Leahcim Semaj said there is no homogeneous character make-up that defines a child killer.

He argued that some people prey on children because they are vulnerable and often do not oppose adults when attacked.

Semaj noted that many such killers earlier suffered at the hands of paedophiles and other child abusers, which triggered the cycle of violence as revenge on a society which failed to protect him or her.

He added that child killers endear themselves to children, who do not usually see them as a threat.

Semaj said lack of parental vigilance had made it easier for predators to have access to children, noting that a large number of children under the age of 10 travel to and from school each day by themselves.

"That's why the real issue is to educate our children to know when to run and know when to ask for help," he told The Gleaner Monday.

"I am hoping that we use this context to immunise our children about the dangers of talking to strangers ...," said Semaj.

The psychologist said parents should inform their children that they should walk in groups.

"I hope some adjustment will be made for those who cannot protect themselves," said Semaj.

petrina.francis@gleanerjm.com