OCA Concerned About Reports of Forced Sexual Activities in Schools
Kingston, Jamaica, September 14, 2014 --(PR.com)-- The Office of the Children’s Advocate (OCA) is concerned about media reports and anecdotal incidents of sexual activity within schools. This sexual activity not only spans heterosexual engagements, but homosexual encounters as well.
The OCA is raising particular concern about this growing social problem among the nation’s children, in light of a Gleaner news article published on Friday, March 9, 2012. The front-page report entitled Lesbians and learning: Younger students under siege at corporate area all-girls school, is of grave concern to the OCA as the prevalence of homosexuality has serious implications.
While the Gleaner article made reference to the problem at an all-girls school, the OCA is concerned about anecdotal mention of the occurrence of homosexual activity in all-boys institutions. Such sexual behaviour exposes children to serious implications of which they may not be aware.
In keeping with comments published in The Gleaner on Saturday, March 10, 2012, Children’s Advocate, Diahann Gordon Harrison, emphasizes that there needs to be a public education campaign to sensitize students about these risks. Additionally, there are legal implications and consequences which can flow as a result of forcibly engaging other students in sexual activity.
“If it is that students are forcing other students to engage in or perform sexual acts, that is a breach of the Sexual Offences Act. Students need to be advised that this is a criminal offence, and girls need to understand that they too can now be charged for grievous sexual assaults,” Mrs. Gordon Harrison noted.
In addition to the public education that is needed to sensitize students about the problem, the OCA is also recommending an open discussion about sexual activity in schools by all stakeholders, and for some form of policy imperative to follow.
For further information contact:
Nicole Hayles
Manager, Public Education and Special Projects
Telephone: (876) 948-1293 / 948-3771
The OCA is raising particular concern about this growing social problem among the nation’s children, in light of a Gleaner news article published on Friday, March 9, 2012. The front-page report entitled Lesbians and learning: Younger students under siege at corporate area all-girls school, is of grave concern to the OCA as the prevalence of homosexuality has serious implications.
While the Gleaner article made reference to the problem at an all-girls school, the OCA is concerned about anecdotal mention of the occurrence of homosexual activity in all-boys institutions. Such sexual behaviour exposes children to serious implications of which they may not be aware.
In keeping with comments published in The Gleaner on Saturday, March 10, 2012, Children’s Advocate, Diahann Gordon Harrison, emphasizes that there needs to be a public education campaign to sensitize students about these risks. Additionally, there are legal implications and consequences which can flow as a result of forcibly engaging other students in sexual activity.
“If it is that students are forcing other students to engage in or perform sexual acts, that is a breach of the Sexual Offences Act. Students need to be advised that this is a criminal offence, and girls need to understand that they too can now be charged for grievous sexual assaults,” Mrs. Gordon Harrison noted.
In addition to the public education that is needed to sensitize students about the problem, the OCA is also recommending an open discussion about sexual activity in schools by all stakeholders, and for some form of policy imperative to follow.
For further information contact:
Nicole Hayles
Manager, Public Education and Special Projects
Telephone: (876) 948-1293 / 948-3771
Contact
Office of The Children's Advocate
Nicole Hayles (Manager, Public Education & Special Projects)
(876) 948-1293
www.oca.gov.jm
Nicole Hayles (Manager, Public Education & Special Projects)
(876) 948-1293
www.oca.gov.jm
Contact
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