Ricky Flex tackles carnal abuse on She’s Just 13
KINGSTON, Jamaica — On his latest song singjay Ricky Flex tackles one of Jamaica’s longstanding problems — carnal abuse.
According to the father of four (including a four-year-old daughter) Ricky Flex believes not much is being done in Jamaica to protect under-age girls.
“Is something you see in society everyday, even in my community. When this happens yuh destroy a potential teacher or nurse,” he said.
‘She’s Just 13’ is produced by Smokey and Kidamawi Entertainment, who are also behind Bed of Rose, a seven-song EP that includes the songs Like a Man and Suffer Long.
The hard-hitting She’s Just 13 is getting the lion’s share of promotion. According to Ricky Flex, rightly so, because “Mi want it shake up some man”.
Jamaican law states that carnal abuse is males having sex with girls under the age of 16, which is the age of consent. This is a breach of the Offences against the Person Act and carries a maximum term of life in prison.
The 2013 Jamaica Crime and Safety Report (issued by the United States State Department) showed 763 documented cases of carnal abuse in Jamaica that year.
She’s Just 13 was released in November. It was written by the 30-year-old Flex (real name Ricky Steven) who hails from the Kingston 13 area.
A past student of Holy Trinity High School, he has been recording since 2001.
Howard Campbell
