Chang says recent acts of violence against women and girls 'deeply worrying'

 

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr. Horace Chang has said the recent heinous acts of violence committed against women and girls are deeply troubling and have shaken the moral conscience of society. 

 

He said it is especially troubling that these attacks are happening during Child Month, a time set aside to focus on the safety, well-being and future of the nation's children. 

 

Dr. Chang has sought to reassure family members of the victims that the government remains steadfast in its commitment to the safety and security of women and girls, and by extension, the children of Jamaica. 

 

He said the perpetrators will be brought to justice. 

 

Speaking with Radio Jamaica News on Monday morning, Dr. Chang said the recent episodes of violence have left him shaken.

 

"It's deeply worrying that we see this kind of reaction and this kind of horror being executed against our women from infancy to adulthood," he lamented.

 

Dr. Chang suggested the nurse violently assaulted by a businessman last Tuesday could have been killed as her attacker showed no sign of restraint. The incident and others recently, including the sexual assault and murder nine-year-old Kelsey Ferrigon, highlight "a certain disrespect and what can only be described as a level of social dysfunction in our society", he said.  

 

He added that the root causes of these deviant behaviours need to be identified and addressed. While the government and security forces have for years been focused on homicides, the security minister admitted that "we have maybe overlooked some of these underlying social pathology". 

 

"From the level of the security forces, we're going to pay particular attention, both in terms of apprehending but also in terms of working with the agencies and our departments that are involved to seek to prevent this kind of thing. It is really worrying and of deep concern. This one really shocked me, and we're going to have to take steps to find a way to intervene before we get to that," he vowed.