Dear Editor,

I read the Jamaica Observer lead story on July 17 entitled ‘No mercy for child rapists’ and wish to support calls by Government Senator Abka Fitz-Henley for the Sexual Offences Act to be amended to mandate life imprisonment for people who rape children.

The story in the Observer was a difficult read. It outlined that bizarre sex offence cases are occurring in certain communities — some of which are now before the Trelawny Circuit Court — and have triggered a call from a member of the Jamaican Bar for those communities to be named and shamed.

The Observer revealed that among the cases is that of a father who repeatedly abducted and raped his teen daughter while videoing the encounters and a 60-year-old who threatened to “obeah” his 12-year-old neighbour if she did not have sex with him. The story outlined several other cases of older men raping children who were blamed by some communities members for turning the offenders in to the police.

I think naming and shaming communities is one step. However, beyond that, I find that between 15 and 25 years imprisonment is too light a punishment for these vermins. One way of pushing back against these acts, which destroys our children’s innocence permanently, is for the State to legislate a zero-tolerance policy.

I think from a mental health perspective, the actions of some of these perverts who prey upon our children should be interrogated by the requisite professionals towards devising workable policies to deter its frequency.

However, in the mean time, I think the Government should seriously consider mandating life imprisonment for people who rape a child. This amendment would draw a line in the sand and send a strong message to child rapists and their enablers.

Despite certain elements in communities being minded to support offenders, I’m sure the recommended strong legislative action would not only be a legacy initiative of any Government which pursues it, the measure would also attract popular support.

Tanya Hylton

tanya.hylton01@yahoo.com