Dear Editor,

After reading the tragic story of Lisa Solan in Sunday’s and Monday’s Observer, I just want to express my sympathy to her for the suffering she endured both at the hands of the people who assaulted her and also within the less than adequate facilities in place to “help” abused teens who often rebel and eventually become wards of the state.

A national campaign should be launched to bring greater awareness to abuse taking place in the society, how this can be identified and the steps to be taken to address the issue. On the topic which is of much greater significance — rape — I believe an office should be created within the Ministry of Justice with special powers to deal with issues relating to the abuse of women. This office, made up primarily of women, would have investigative powers to handle rape cases. After thorough investigation with the aid of law enforcement officers, the cases would then be brought to trial. I say this because I believe that women who are violated

feel ostracised, ridiculed and pressured in the male-dominated culture and justice system which exists in Jamaica.

Lisa said it herself: “Yeah, when mi a 13 police a look mi, inspector a look mi, all when mi a 14, is a common assault that, whole heap a dat gwaan.” Lisa’s life has been a nightmare and she may never be emotionally stable again after being a victim of serial violations. The justice system should now rise to the occasion and hand to her her just reward. Investigate the perpetrators who violated her

and bring them to justice. The perpetrators must be aware that there is no statute of limitation for violators. If the government stands idly by and does nothing, then this will embolden abusers and this state of affairs could become worse than it is today.

I note that the minister of culture recently made a speech in Parliament on behalf of women. She must be aware of the crude, sexualised and suggestive lines being peddled as Jamaica’s cultural gift to the world. These songs, I believe, help to foster, reinforce and perpetuate certain male attitudes towards women. However, I hope solutions can be found to reverse this trend. If not, I say, may God help Lisa and

the nation.

I Care

New York, USA

awareofhm@aol.com