Data from the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (Cisoca), show that 140 rape cases were placed before the Home Circuit Court, for the first three months of this year.

This exceeds the number of rape cases before that court in 2015 and 2016.

Speaking at the third meeting of a Committee of Parliament reviewing Jamaica’s sexual offence laws this morning (May 9) Justice Minister Delroy Chuck, stated that this number needs to be clarified.

He highlighted that for 2015, Cisoca placed 138 cases before the circuit courts.

However, committee member, Floyd Green, stated that information is needed, to determine the number of new cases and those being carried over.

In the meantime, Consultant to the Child Development Agency, CDA Tanya Chambers, is calling for the list of persons required to make mandatory reports about their knowledge or suspicion of incidents of child abuse or neglect to be expanded.

However, Mr. Chuck stated that the recommendation needs to be reviewed, as this can place a burden on certain professionals, and they may not want to see children who are suspected to be abused.

Committee member, Dr. Sapphire Longmore stated that it is a good recommendation, as there is a gap in the process of reporting cases to the CDA.