Dionne Rose, Staff ReporterJAMAICAN CHILDREN were the victims of 70 per cent of the sexual crimes reported to the police in 2004, according to a UNICEF report.
According to the report entitled 'Situation Analysis of Jamaican Children', more than 900 children were sexually abused. Of this figure, 517 were raped; 409 carnally abused and 33 were victims of incest.
"This data is shocking," said Carol Samuels, executive director of the Jamaica Coalition on the Rights of the Child (JCRC) when told about the findings. "This is horrible. If these are facts, then it speaks to the huge loopholes in the system."
The report supported its findings with data from the Ministry of Health's Jamaica Injury Surveillance System, which it said showed that 86 per cent of the sexual assault cases reported in 2002 and 2003 were committed by a relative, a friend, an acquaintance or an intimate partner.
FORCED TO HAVE SEX
Younger adolescents were more likely to be victims of forced sex, UNICEF found, using the Reproduc-tive Health Survey 2002. It said this was often perpetrated by someone with whom the child had a close relationship. It said that one of every five Jamaican girls in the 15 to 19 age cohort reported being forced to have sex. The figure was 21 per cent among 15-year-olds and 26 per cent among 16-year-olds.
Children living in rural Jamaica were at higher risk of forced sex, the report said.
Mrs. Samuels said while she was leading an inter-sectorial committee to establish the child advocate office and a children registry, the process was very slow.
She argued that there needed to be workable mechanisms in place that will deter perpetrators. The Child Advocate and Registry is a provision of the Child Care and Protection Act, which was passed in the Houses of Parliament last year.
POWER TO INVESTIGATE
The Act stipulates that the Advocate would legally represent children in court proceedings. The office of the Advocate would also be set up to receive complaints and facilitate complaints from children, including financial assistance.
It is expected to have the power to investigate infringements of children's rights by government agencies and to keep under review the adequacy and effectiveness of law and practice relating to the rights and best interests of the child.
"We started the process in July, but it is not emerging as a priority," said Mrs. Samuels. "I am not seeing the commitment that (would ) move us forward." She said that she hopes such a commitment will emerge after a meeting with the Minister of Health John Junor expected this week.
