Jamaica urged to broaden existing defination of rape

The United Nations wants Jamaican legislators reviewing the Sexual Offences Act, to broaden the existing definition of  rape.

On Wednesday, representatives from the United Nations made presentations before the Joint Select Committee examining the Act.

UN Resident Coordinator in Jamaica, Dr. Arun Kasyap, said the definition of  rape should be gender neutral; and widened to include other forms of  forced penetration.

“The current definition of rape in the Sexual Offences Act is limited to certain forms of penetration. Forced sexual intercourse of any kind and in any manner is a traumatic experience. The sexual offenses act in its current formulation does not offer equal protection to all individuals regardless of their gender or regardless of the nature of the sexual assault committed against them,” said Kasyap.

Opposition Jamaica Labour Party (JLP), member, Delroy Chuck, pointed to acts of sexual violation against young men in inner city communities.

“Within some inner city communities within gangs, the so-called dons used buggery to violate young men…if they are prosecuted and its called rape, in the Jamaican context they are going to be called women ...”

Meanwhile, the UN is asking that a number of areas be taken into consideration regarding the Sex Offenders Registry.

According to Kasyap under the UN Convention on Human Rights persons whose names appear on the Registry should not be denied access to education, housing and employment.

At present the Sex Offenders Registry is operated by the Correctional Services Department.

It records the name, address, date of  birth, places frequented and a photograph of  the offender.