The Editor, Sir:

Raising the age of consent from 16 to 18 will not address the offence of carnal abuse. In fact, raising the age of consent to 18 years may compound the problem.

To effectively deal with the crime of carnal abuse it is imperative to understand the forces at play contributing to it, as well as the nature of the crime.

Unfortunately, there are cultural and mythological dimensions to this offence. There are men who believe they have proprietary rights over their daughters' sexual initiation.

Others believe that sexual diseases can be cured by sexual intercourse with a virgin. Given the early sexual initiation of young girls, they are at even greater risk.

There are also socioeconomic factors where women may deliberately or inadvertently allow their girls to be exploited by their male consorts who may be the bread-winner.

Public education

These factors can be addressed through continued and intense public education informing the society that sex with underaged girls, or boys for that matter, is a crime and it is illegal.

Sex education in school is necessary and this education should not be limited to reproductive health. Sex education should also include exposure to the Offences Against the Persons Act as well as the Child Care and Protection Act and the Rights of Children.

Children should be educated by the schools where the parents fail to teach them about how to report and with whom to communicate if they are sexually molested or are approached in an inappropriate manner.

Parenting as a skill should also be taught in schools, clinics and hospitals. In cases where girls become pregnant, then the DNA of the child should be taken and the paternity of the father established and that person should be prosecuted.

Only when a firm and resolute message is sent to the perpetrators of the crime of carnal abuse will the desired results be achieved.

I am, etc.,

ARNALDO BROWN

arnbrown07@hotmail.com

Kingston 6