YOU MUST ensure that children who fall under your care or guidance are protected from all types of abuse and violence. Under the Juvenile Act, an adult who is responsible for the care and custody of a person under the age of 18 years and either causes or allows that person to be assaulted, ill-treated, neglected, abandoned, or to be exposed to any kind of suffering, commits a criminal offence. If convicted, that person can be fined and/or imprisoned for a term not exceeding three months. Also under the Offences Against the Person Act, it is a criminal offence to:
Have sexual relations with a girl who is under the age of 16 years old whether she consents or not;
Allow your premises to be used for the purpose of allowing any male to have sexual relations with a girl under the age of 16 years.
As a parent, encourage your daughter to sleep with men for gifts or any type of financial support.
As a male, have sexual relations with a male child or a person, whether consent is given or not.
Anyone who is convicted of an attempt to have sexual relations with a girl under the age of 12 years old can face up to 10 years in prison. Anyone who is convicted of having sexual intercourse with any girl above the age of 12 and under the age of 16 years can face up to seven years in prison.
Any male person who is found guilty of committing incest, with a female who is 12 years old or younger, can be sentenced to a maximum of 10 years in prison with at hard labour.
Source: A Code of Conduct For Police-Citizen Relations in Jamaica.
