THE EDITOR, Sir:
I can remember a time when some men recently involved in sexual offences would have given their lives to protect children who have been victims.
Today, it seems that if they are not our children, we don't give a damn. We end up talking about imposing mandatory 25-year prison sentences on these sex offenders, as they are called. This at a time when:
a) We already have laws on the books that we are not enforcing.
b) The respect for law and order is at its lowest ever.
c) Law enforcement is severely handicapped by lack of resources.
d) Victims and witnesses alike, are afraid of making a report.
e) The justice system is overwhelmed by other crimes, and
f) The penal institutions are grossly overcrowded.
Who are we fooling?
Are we really serious about protecting our citizens in general, and our women and children, in particular? When we became Independent in 1962, rape was a relatively rare occurrence and carnal abuse was almost just another word in the dictionary. Sex offenders were seen as animals and more specifically, 'DAWGS'. Every dawg was well aware of the existence of a certain 'CAT' - the cat-o-nine tails. No dawg wanted an encounter with the cat because the offence just wasn't worth it. Consequently, women were well respected and men went out of their way to protect them.
At Independence we inherited a decent society. It wasn't perfect but it was decent. If we had just kept the line on law and order and the education system, (which was of a high standard), decency and civilized behaviour would be a way of life today, and what is more, the cat and the noose would be virtually unemployed, and we would have far more resources available to put into health and education.
We often hear a lot of fanfare about our great achievements over the years, but what about that which we have failed to achieve, like making Jamaica a safe place for all our people? The cat and the noose are considered to be barbaric and inhumane forms of punishment, and this may well be so, but what, pray tell, is rape and murder? The object is not to go around flogging and hanging people. The object should be to put the onus and the responsibility on people to avoid being flogged or hanged.
It cannot be beyond us to think our way back to a better way of life. What seems to be lacking is the will, on the one hand, and the sensitivity, on the other. We really don't care about each other. The fact that these crimes occur elsewhere in the world is no reason to tolerate it here and subject future generations to the consequences of it.
Finally, you can almost predict where you are likely to run into a police spot-check or speed trap and if not, you will get ample warnings about the police presence. The police need to patrol more, and to do so in unmarked vehicles as that is the only way they will get to see the atrocities taking place on the roads. If people realise that they can encounter the police anywhere, and at any time, not only will they be more careful on the roads, but other crimes might well be averted. In this sense, it will justify the resources required to preserve the most precious resource - HUMAN LIFE.
I am, etc.,
VINCENT NUGENT
Box 206
St. Ann's Bay.
