Stringent punishment for sex offenders

THE EDITOR, Madam:

We know what to expect when reading the newspapers in Jamaica – stories of crime, violence, corruption, and the occasional ray of hope. The stories reveal the harsh truths that exist today – crime seems to be out of control, citizens are fearful, the security forces are undermanned, and the court system is overwhelmed.

I was utterly gutted after reading a story of a man who was sentenced to 18 years for having sex with a 13-year-old girl. He pleaded guilty to the offence on July 28 this year.

My revulsion comes in light of the Gleaner report that at the time of the sentencing, the man, who is from Clarendon, had three previous convictions: assault occasioning bodily harm, unlawful wounding, and shop-breaking. This was less than three weeks before he raped the 13-year-old. To make matters worse, he got off easy after being convicted for sexual assault involving a five-year-old child months earlier. In the most recent case, the 13-year-old girl ran away from home on October 1, 2017.

On the same evening, Brown saw the girl hiding in bushes close to his house and invited her in. He forced her to have sex that evening then left the following day after locking her inside the house. He returned Monday afternoon, and the ordeal was repeated. She was rescued on the Wednesday by a passer-by after he heard her shouts for help. The passer-by was able to break down the door and managed to free her. The parents had earlier filed a missing-person report that led to a search by police and residents.

This case adds fire to the ongoing discussion on the perceived light sentences for these offenders. As a youngster, I am disgusted with the crimes against our children. Whenever these cases come to light, there is public outcry and berating of our justice system for not doing enough. So why not do more about it? One deterrent to crime is punishment. However, if the punishment is not seen as severe enough, it won’t serve as a significant enough deterrent. The issue of perceived light sentences can be solved by making amendments to the current minimum and maximum sentences applied to crimes of rape.

The public naming and shaming of those convicted of those crimes will also go a far way in instilling fear. Studies have shown that several cases of rape are committed by repeat offenders, and so extended sentences mean less time in the general public for these miscreants.

It should also be mandatory that convicted sex offenders declare their convictions to the community in which they live when they are released, as is practised in several US states. It is now time for action to protect women and children from predators.

No more slaps on the wrist; throw the book at them. Better yet, throw the entire library.

ROMEO LEE

Final-Year Student

Bachelor of Arts in Journalism

CARIMAC, UWI