KINGSTON, Jamaica – Between January and April 6 this year, the Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA) brought 140 rape cases before the circuit court, the highest number of cases prosecuted over the past three years.

However, only six cases were disposed of, one conviction was made and five acquittals secured. The figures were highlighted by Justice Minister Delroy Chuck at today’s meeting of the Joint Select Committee of Parliament which is reviewing child and family related legislation. In 2015 CISOCA brought 138 rape cases before the courts and disposed of 21, securing 10 convictions while there were 11 acquittals. Last year there 122 cases were tried, 21 disposed of — five people convicted, and 16 acquitted.Commenting on the statistics which were outlined in a submission to the joint select committee, Chuck, who also chairs the committee, remarked that “it is reflective of the burden on the court system”.The committee is reviewing the Child Care and Protection Act, the Sexual Offences Act, the domestic Violence Act, and the Offences Against the Person Act. The original committee, which was chaired by former Minister of Justice Senator Mark Golding held its last meeting in November 2014. In December 2016 a new committee was appointed to resume the deliberations but postponed its meetings in January in light of Parliament’s budget-related activities.Alphea Saunders