Dear Editor,

Sex is a dominant theme in our popular culture, but the subject of rape, which is a pervasive problem, is shrouded in secrecy and stigma. The alarming rates of child sexual abuse suggest that incest and other forms of sexual abuse are prevalent in Jamaican homes. We are looking to the government for a universal solution, but what can we do to protect our children?

In our culture, accusing those we know and trust of child sexual abuse and seeking justice for our children is too great an emotional burden. Pressing charges will bring shame upon the family by revealing that a guardian was negligent in their duty to protect their child. As a result, victims of sexual abuse largely suffer in silence and shame. They are traumatised, but they do not have the benefit of a cultural environment that empowers them to speak out and seek support. Some victims are so young that they literally do not have words to speak of their immeasurable suffering. These matters are typically adjudicated in the home, which is the venue of continued abuse.

We believe taboo sexuality has no place in public discourse because we mistake open discussion for acceptance of a practice. The subject of homosexuality, for example, is never addressed dispassionately. Ignorance allows us to conflate homosexuality with paedophilia to detract from our complicity in the abuse of our children. By inciting popular hatred of homosexuals, we can place blame squarely on those we hate and away from the perpetrators that we often know.

The prime minister recently announced that her administration will be pursuing more stringent measures to combat the high levels of child abuse. While it is important to punish both offenders and the parents and guardians who protect them, more needs to be done. Child abuse is not rampant because of an absence of laws to protect children.

Evidently, the mechanisms for reporting child abuse and the sluggishness of the legal system are crippling the pursuit of justice. In addition to correcting these structural deficiencies, a successful initiative will address the culture of silence around taboo sexuality. There is a lot that the government can do by way of laws, but we have a responsibility to reform the culture that allows heartless men and women to hurt our children with impunity.

Javed Jaghai

Kingston

sandevaj@gmail.com