KINGSTON, Jamaica — Local Government Minister Desmond McKenzie has called on the president of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) to provide evidence that students are being exposed to sexual acts by individuals displaced by Hurricane Melissa who are being housed in shelters at some schools across the island.

In a release on Wednesday, McKenzie called on Mark Malabver, to furnish evidence supporting the allegation to police personnel who have been asked to investigate the matter.

Minister McKenzie notes that the matter was not brought to the attention of his ministry which has been in written communication with the JTA towards finding a resolution to issues concerning the just under one hundred people who are sheltering in schools after their houses were affected by the Category 5 hurricane.

“My ministry has implemented a hands on approach in terms of receiving reports from stakeholders who monitor the shelters across the island and we have received no such report concerning sexual acts by people sheltering in schools in the presence of students and/or teachers. Therefore, it is only natural that we request that the JTA president assist the process by providing evidence to support the allegation,” said Mckenzie.

He says the ministry takes ensuring that students are not exposed to acts of indecency seriously and continues to work feverishly in collaboration with relevant stakeholders to ensure that Jamaicans dislocated by Hurricane Melissa find appropriate shelter as soon as possible.