Sexual abuse of minors a national shame

Jamaica Observer
January 8, 2017

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/editorial/Sexual-abuse-of-minors-a-national-shame_85927

In this photograph taken from his Facebook page, Moravian pastor Rupert Clarke appears to be in high spirits.

Society, we know, has no absolute control over the perverted nature of individuals. But surely we can and must exercise greater control over the actions of these warped perverts who sexually abuse children, often resulting in life-altering experiences and permanent and irreparable damage to them.

This is the responsibility of every Jamaican, but the vast majority of us have manifestly failed to fulfil our duty to the children of Jamaica. All of us are culpable to different degrees, ranging from turning a blind eye to those heinous crimes, not speaking out against them or leaving the problem to be dealt with by parents, teachers, guardians, police, social workers or counsellors who are already overwhelmed. We all have to do more.

A society that does not protect the vulnerable, the children, the aged, the handicapped and the desperately poor is a failed society. Jamaica is not alone in its failure and sexual abuse of minors. It is a worldwide problem. But this does not exonerate our lack of action.

Action has to start first with prevention, and in this regard shame and embarrassment are no longer effective sanctions. We all have to be watchful, protective, and speak out about what we know or observe. No one is above suspicion, because in too many instances people are allowed to get away because their institutions want to avoid the damage to their reputation and the cost of financial compensation. We are all aware of the extent to which the Catholic Church has been affected by unsavoury revelations.

We must do everything to bring the perpetrators of sexual assault of children to justice and apply the most severe punishment allowed by law. They must, after serving their prison sentences, be kept on a permanent watch list because too many of them revert to their former practice as soon as they re-enter society.

Those who remain silent and/or actively take part in covering sexual crimes should be treated as accessories to the crime. No one is above the law, and in some instances the perpetrators are the so-called most respectable citizens.

Everybody is presumed innocent until proven guilty, therefore we must not pre-judge cases before the courts, as is now being done by some people in relation to the case of Pastor Rupert Clarke, who has been charged due to allegations of having sex with a minor.

However, while we observe that ideal, it should not prevent us from dealing with the issue of child abuse, which is really a national shame.