KINGSTON, Jamaica- Advocates Network (AN) has joined other advocacy groups in condemning the assault of a nurse Tuesday night and is calling for the case against the perpetrator to be handled with transparency and impartiality.

“Tuesday night’s vicious assault of a nurse has left many Jamaicans reeling at the mistreatment meted out to a working professional on her way to work. The Advocates Network joins the Nurses Association of Jamaica, the Jamaica Enrolled Nurses Association, the Jamaica Midwives Association, WMW Jamaica, and other entities that have come out strongly condemning this attack. The AN hears the cry from the public for justice to be done in this case, as there are concerns that the perpetrator will get off lightly based on his socio-economic status. We are calling for this case to be handled transparently and for justice to be fairly and impartially delivered. It is essential to send a strong, clear message of non-tolerance of violence, especially towards women and girls,” the group said in a statement.

The Advocates Network said a clear message must be sent that violence against women and girls will not be tolerated.

“On May 9, nine-year old Kelsey Ferrigan was raped and killed in St Catherine. A few days later, two sisters, nine and a seven-year-old, were walking home from school when they were dragged into the bushes and sexually assaulted. Late yesterday, the body of a 20-year-old UTECH student, Anisa Dilworth, was found. She was last seen boarding a local taxi service, after which she was reported missing. A clear message must be sent that violence against women and girls will not be tolerated.

These incidents cannot go the way of politician George Wright, who stayed silent amidst allegations that he had viciously beaten his partner with a stool. He stepped down for a short while, only to re-emerge on the political scene, still silent on the matter, as if nothing had happened and awarded a hefty salary increase! Only swift and sustained action to end gender-based violence will start to bring some semblance of safety and security back for Jamaican women and girls. Work must be done in partnership with our men and boys to make Jamaica a safe place to live, work, and raise families for all. No more silence, no more violence!,” the statement said.

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