International group, Human Rights Watch, has highlighted what it said was inadequate investigation by the Jamaican police, of cases of violence against members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.
In an 86-page report , released on Tuesday, the organisation documented 56 cases of violence, in which victims reported they were targeted, because of their actual or perceived sexual identity.
Human Rights Watch found that police investigations are often lacking, and in some cases, due to homophobia within the Jamaica Constabulary Force. It said discriminatory laws contribute to the vulnerability of LGBT people.
The Jamaican police recently established protocols for addressing hate crimes. However, Human Rights Watch says improved protection and non-discrimination mechanisms are still needed, as well as an end to legislation that facilitates abuses, such as buggery laws.
And the international group has pointed to other shortcomings by the police, in their treatment of violence against homosexuals.
Human Rights Watch conducted five weeks of field research in Jamaica in April and June 2013, interviewing 71 LGBT people, as well as government officials and other stakeholders.
Of the 56 cases of violence documented, 19 victims reported the crimes to the police. The police reportedly took formal statements in eight cases, and four led to arrests or prosecutions.
Those who did not file police reports told Human Rights Watch they were afraid of facing further discrimination at the hands of the police, or believed the police would take no action to assist them.
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