Beverley Anderson -Manley
JAMAICA'S HOMICIDE RATE at 45 per 100,000 in 2004 is among the highest in the world! Over a 20-year span, we have seen the homicide rate increase from 484 homicides per year to 1,450 in 2004. Most violence-related crimes are occurring in the metropolitan areas of Jamaica and mostly in the poor inner city communities. In addition, violence-related injuries are the fourth leading cause of death in Jamaica. So stated former Minister of Health John Junor in a recent speech on 'Violence Prevention - the Jamaican Challenge'. These are telling statistics.
There are other statistics that the former Minister of Health mentioned that are instructive. For example, it is estimated that upwards of J$600 million is spent on direct hospital services for violence-related injuries.
The overall health cost is two-three times this amount. This includes costs of rehabilitation and lost incomes associated with the injury and death. In addition, violence-related injuries displace or lead to cancellations of one in three elective surgical lists at our main hospitals each week. Recent studies estimate that the impact on the country is about US$12 billion.
COUNTING THE COST OF VIOLENCE
There is no doubt that the cost of living and being in a violent country is almost impossible to bear. It has an impact on individuals, communities, institutions and our entire society. This is a challenge that we have to overcome for our very survival and hopefully beyond that - to the creation of wealth so we can provide every woman, man and child in Jamaica with the basic necessities of life - the right to an education, a job, a home and some expectation of a fulfilled life.
When we see crime and in particular the homicide rate trending down, it is important to acknowledge this even while noting that the rate is still extraordinarily high. We are seeing positive results for example in the Police Division of St. Andrew South where the homicide rate has declined by 53per cent this year over the same period last year.
In addition, certain institutional deficiencies are being corrected and the Parliament, hopefully, will be fast-tracking urgent, necessary and well- needed legislation. Just last week, Minister of National Security Peter Phillips announced that Jamaica and the United Kingdom are to share confiscated crime assets.
This will allow assets forfeited on the basis of joint operations in Jamaica or Britain to be shared on an equitable basis between the two nations. The seizure of assets gained through criminal enterprise makes up the primary goal of the Proceeds of Crime legislation now before Jamaica's Parliament. Minister Phillips is remaining focused.
But even as we acknowledge the police for getting positive results, it is frightening and most disturbing that cop killings are on the increase. There appears to be a handful of policemen who are repeatedly involved in similar controversial incidents, the Human Rights Groups inform us. We cannot solve crime if elements within the law enforcement agencies are themselves involved in crime. It is as simple as that.
NEW SENTENCES FOR RAPE
On the question of rape, one of the most violent acts against women - a resolution proposing that rape offenders receive a minimum 25-year prison sentence was approved in the Senate last week and we continue to be distressed at the number of violent acts against our children.
During the Senate debate, Oppo-sition Senator Dorothy Lightbourne recommended that the Offences Against the Person Act be brought back before a Joint Select Committee of Parliament for review. (We must) "leave no doubt that a girl under 16 cannot consent and if sexual intercourse takes place with her - the person is subjected to life imprisonment".
The debate came against the background of increasing violence against children in the society. In 2004, for example, 119 children under 18 were murdered while 105 were killed last year.
Fourteen have been killed since the start of this year. As a society, we have to put an end to the carnage of our children.
We have to remain vigilant and focused as we seek to build a loving, caring and peaceful Jamaica - if only because we must.
Beverley Anderson Manley is a political scientist, broadcaster and transformation coach/trainer. Email: bmanley@kasnet.com.
