Dear Editor,

Personal space is the physical area immediately surrounding someone, into which encroachment can feel threatening or uncomfortable.

Our personal space is largely an area of protection around us and it allows us a feeling of safety. We reserve our personal space only for those we allow in. When others avoid invading this space, we feel valued and respected.

Personal space begins about an arm’s length away, starting around 18 inches (46 cm) from the person and ending about 4 feet (122 cm) away. In the Jamaican context we are often subject to invasion of our personal space by beggars, vagrants, mentally ill people and the like. We have seen people attacked by members of these groups with disastrous results. Death and severe injury have resulted from these close encounters. In this age of biological warfare, a person and the illness they carry may be the weapon.

I raise this issue in the context of a video circulating on social media in which a man, in attempting to protect his personal space, is seen taking not one, not two, but 12 steps backward before deciding to stand his ground. The law does not recognise a specific crime or civil action based on violation of personal space per se. However, the law does recognise various actions based on assault, harassment, and unwelcome touching. Advice from the Jamaica Constabulary Force says reasonable force may be lawfuly used by citizens in the following circumstances: self defence; to protect others who are facing an immediate threat to their safety; to protect property. No more force should be used than is necessary to protect himself/herself, other citizens, or his/her property. It is unlawful for force to be used for the purposes of revenge or in response to a spoken threat or insult.

Our auditory space is protected by legislation relating to night noises as well as the current ban on certain types of music on the radio. Our visual space is protected by legislation related to indecent exposure and pornography. Unless an individual is adept at self-defence, someone with bad intentions is able to legally enter your personal space and inflict harm. At the point at which they begin their assault, law-abiding citizens are entirely at their mercy.

Perhaps it is time to have a conversation on protections for personal space beyond the provision provided in law for harassment.

Orville Nembhard

titanodn@gmail.com