Dr Morais Guy has raised concerns about the handling of medical treatment for a female ninth-grade student who was reportedly raped by an older student at a St Elizabeth-based high school. The shadow spokesperson on health questioned whether the proper procedure was initially followed. According to Guy, the girl was seen by the police and sent to the hospital but was told to return the next day.

Teen reportedly turned away from hospital after alleged rape at school

Jamaica Gleaner/28 Oct 2023/Christopher Thomas/ Gleaner Writer

FOLLOWING REPORTS that a female grade nine student of a St Elizabeth-based high school was raped by an older student at the institution earlier this week, Dr Morais Guy is questioning whether the proper procedure was initially followed in getting treatment for the schoolgirl.

Guy, the shadow spokesperson on health, told The Gleaner that he was informed of the ordeal, which reportedly took place on Tuesday in a bathroom.

“Basically, what happened is that a contact reached out to me to indicate that the child was seen by the police and sent to the hospital. I was also told that when the child went to the hospital, she was told to come back the next day, and when she returned the next day with her parents, they were told that they could not be seen by the doctor for whatever reason,” said Guy.

“I found that quite strange and odd, and I was also told that because of that, the parents are quite traumatised, as is the child. Consequent on that, I decided to reach out to the chairman of the Southern Regional Health Authority (SRHA), who had said he would deal with it, and he had the regional director call me,” Guy added.

It is understood that the 14-yearold student was initially sent to the Black River Hospital.

Guy noted that in his experience as a medical doctor, any alleged rape victim should receive treatment immediately, instead of being made to undergo delay.

“I am a little challenged to understand and appreciate this, and I can only speak from a third-party source, in that the usual thing would be that the police would take the alleged victim to the hospital. It came to my attention that she was told to go (leave and return), which is a little strange for me,” said Guy.

“Be that as it may, that particular area of referral needs to be investigated, as to who dropped the ball. Secondly, for the child in a case like that to go to the hospital and be told to come back the next day is unfortunate ... .”

BEING INVESTIGATED

When contacted, SRHA Chairman Wayne Chen told The Gleaner that the reported incident is currently under investigation.

However, he noted that when a reported rape victim seeks treatment, the standard procedure is for immediate medical treatment to be administered.

“I have no real facts on the case, and the only thing I have heard is that an underage girl was sexually abused by an underage boy. Normally, the person would go to the police because it is a police matter, and in terms of their injury, the nurse or doctor on duty would make a determination at that point,” said Chen.

“Seeing as it is a police matter, the police would have to be brought in, and remember that we have an underage girl here, so they would be examined by a doctor on sight,” Chen added.

When contacted by The Gleaner, the principal refused to comment.

Cops on duty at the nearby police station said they were not authorised to speak on the matter.

Attempts to contact Deputy Superintendent of Police in charge of St Elizabeth Coleridge Minto, Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the AreaThree Division Glenford Miller, and Education Minister Fayval-Williams for comments were unsuccessful.

 

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