President of the Nurses' Association of Jamaica (NAJ), Edith Allwood-Anderson, says students at the Kingston School of Nursing are traumatised after a gunman invaded the institution Monday night.

Reports are that a lone gunman forced his way into a dormitory where two female students were asleep and attempted to rape one of them. The women managed to escape, but one of them injured her shoulder and was hospitalised, after she reportedly jumped from a balcony to elude the attacker.

Security measures to be reviewed

In a statement issued yesterday, the NAJ president called on the Ministry of Health to review the security measures in place at the institution. She also requested that the ministry provide supportive counselling to all the students at the school.

"This blatant attack has left students facing severe, physical and mental trauma. The NAJ calls on all law-abiding citizens to collaborate with the security forces and bring to justice all perpetrators of crime in Jamaica," Mrs. Allwood-Anderson stated. She visited the students at the school yesterday afternoon.

In a statement yesterday, the Ministry of Health condemned the attack. The ministry said also that it has since beefed up security at the institution, with the inclusion of canine patrol guards.

Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Grace Allen-Young, said by weekend other security measures will be implemented where deemed necessary. She said the students who were attacked have received medical attention and plans for counselling are well advanced.