Parents encouraged to help children avoid becoming victims of sex crimes

 

Children's Advocate Diahann Gordon Harrison is calling for parents and guardians to educate their children in light of the alarmingly high rate of rape and crimes against children before the court.

 

According to data presented in the Home Circuit Court, 151 of the 440 sexual offence cases on the list for the Easter Term involve someone having sexual intercourse with a person under 16.

 

There are also 189 cases of rape.

 

In the St. Catherine Home Circuit Court, where more than 400 cases are set to be heard, sexual offences dominate the list.

 

Mrs. Gordon Harrison says the statistics are worrisome, adding that parents and guardians must equip their children with the necessary tools to avoid making careless and irresponsible decisions.

 

She says children should be focusing on building themselves, learning and engaging in activities that are age appropriate given the issues associated with early sexual activity and initiation. 

 

"What's troubling for me is not just the high number of cases that are being reported of instances with a person under 16 years, it's that this category continues to be a leading statistics category before the courts in several parishes over a number of years."  

 

She added that this points to a number of underlying factors, such as children being exposed early and forcefully to sexual activity. 

 

"But equally troubling is the 'consensual' dabbling in sexual activity that our children are engaging in, because for such a case to even be placed before the court, it doesn't necessarily point to predatory sexual activity. It points the children who are fooling around and who 'get caught', and then the matter becomes a matter that is placed before the criminal court," she said of cases involving someone having sexual intercourse with a person under 16. 

 

Mrs. Gordon Harrison suggested there should be focus on educating children about responsible sexual activity and behaviour, so they can make better choices.