ST CATHERINE, Jamaica – Anger still lingers among members of a St Catherine school community days after the rape of one of their own, a seven-year-old girl.

“The community still feels angry, if they could they would have probably offered vigilante justice. But they are [also] saddened, this has never happened in this community,” said Melbourne Thompson, principal of Bermaddy Primary, where the victim attends school.

On Monday, the school hosted a special devotion to allow students and staff to grieve. St Catherine North Western Member of Parliament Damion Crawford, head of the St Catherine North police, Senior Superintendent Hopeton Nicholson, and representatives from the Office of the Children’s Advocate were among those in attendance offering support.

Reports are that the girl, while walking home from school, was attacked by a man who dragged her inside a bus and sexually assaulted her before leaving her for dead.

The victim reportedly raised an alarm, and the suspect was intercepted by residents while allegedly attempting to flee in a taxi. He was subsequently handed over to the police who have since laid charges against him.

Thompson said he welcomed the support given to the school since the incident including a proposal by Crawford to have walking wardens accompany students on their daily journey home.

“The roads are poor especially in close proximity to the school and because of that the taxis don’t want to come where the school is, neither do they want to go in some of the nearby communities,” Thompson said. “So, the suggestion of having someone walking with the students home I believe is a brilliant idea and I welcome it wholeheartedly.”