Petrina Francis, Staff Reporter
( L - R ) CLARKE and BLAINE
CHILDREN'S LOBBY groups have welcomed the proposal approved by the Senate last Friday for rape offenders to receive a minimum 25-year prison sentence.
"It's wonderful news. I would say progress is being made," said Betty-Ann Blaine, convenor of Hear the Children's Cry.
"It's clear to us that finally our legislators are listening to the advice that lobby groups are bringing on behalf of children to ensure that laws are put in place for sentencing to fit the crime," she added.
CLEAR MESSAGE
Mrs. Blaine said the sentence would send a clear message to persons who think they can abuse children and get away with it. She is urging the lawmakers to ensure that the law is enforced when it takes effect.
The Senate's approval came after a vigorous debate on a private members motion, tabled in May by Government Senator Norman Grant, aimed at tackling the high number of murders and sexual offences against children.
SUPPORTS MEASURES
Children's Advocate Mary Clarke said she supports any measure taken to address the level of violence against children. However, she noted that improved systems of investigations are needed.
According to her, the authorities need to compare the figures for offences committed and the number of convictions, noting that the rate of conviction for rape was low.
Opposition Senator Dorothy Lightbourne last week recommended that the Offences Against the Person Act be brought back before a Joint Select Committee of Parliament for review, to make the level of punishment clear as it relates to carnal knowledge and abuse of girls above 12 and under the age of 16.
Currently, it is a misdemeanour of seven years for men who carnally abuse girls between the ages of 12 and 16 and a felony for girls under the age of 12.
Carol Samuels, executive director of Jamaica Coalition for the Rights of the Child (JCRC), said her organisation would support more stringent measures
for persons who carnally abuse children.
