Sexual play between girls 12 and older with bus crews has got much public attention of late. Woman Inc. recently hosted a discussion on the topic and submits the report below.
SEXUAL ABUSE, exposure to sex at an early age and mixed messages from adults about sexual relations can be linked to teenage promiscuity and behaviour such as sex on public transport, says Dr. Veronica Salter.
Dr. Salter, a psychologist and Vice President of Woman Inc., noted that there was an alarming level of early sexual activity among young girls and cited recent research on promiscuous behaviour among a group of 13-year-olds in Western Jamaica. The research, she said, revealed that all the girls in the sample were victims of sexual abuse.
In addition, young children are being desensitised and over sensitised to sex through cable television at an age when their judgment is not yet developed and when peer pressure is more the norm than parental guidance.
Plus, said Dr. Salter, adults often confuse children by their own behaviour as Jamaica is a society of extremes - puritanical on one hand, yet extremely promiscuous on the other. She adds that because adults often use sex as an easy way to acquire money, it demonstrates to children that sex is tied to money and material pursuits.
Neville Francis, Operations Manager of the Transport Authority, told the discussion that sexual activity on buses took place mainly in private buses and was linked to loud music, DVDs shown on bus television screens, particularly on buses with dark tinted windows. The girls provide music cassettes and pay for all day use of buses while bus crews restrict entry to the general public during the contracted hours.
Mr. Francis added, however, that since last November steps were being taken to address the situation. The Transport Authority has been enforcing the Road Traffic Law regarding music on buses and has been removing sound system equipment. In addition, tints have been removed from 90 buses, he said.
AMENDING THE LAW
Furthermore, the Authority was amending the Road Traffic Law to make the process of tint removal more efficient, he said. Tint removal has been a slow process that requires an examiner to determine if the tint obscures vision before enforcement. This has meant that many buses are still allowed to have advertisements that totally cover the rear windows. Mr. Francis added that the Transport Authority had also been having difficulty revoking licences because it lacked sufficient evidence to take action against drivers.
In addition, the Transport Authority has begun a public education programme in schools in conjunction with other organisations, to address the problem. Others involved include members of Woman Inc. and Crisis Centre Hotline counsellors.
Woman Inc. is a non-profit organisation that operates the Crisis Centre and Shelter and addresses issues of violence against women.
