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St Thomas Parents Pimping Their Kids
Published: Friday | March 28, 20145 Comments
Superintendent Merrick Watson
Deon Green, Gleaner Writer
Morant Bay, St Thomas:
The St Thomas police have revealed that statistical data has made it clear many parents in the parish have been pimping their daughters as a source of income.
Addressing a St Thomas Parish Council community meeting at the Anglican Church Hall in Morant Bay on Thursday, Superintendent Merrick Watson said the increasing number of sexual abuse cases involving children in the parish is worrying to the police.
"There are a number of parents - and when I say a number, take it from me as the police with the statistics - who are actually pimping out their young girls. They are literally making money off the innocence of their daughters," Watson said, though he did not reveal the data.
He added that while the issue could be the same among boys, the police had no statistics to confirm or deny whether that is the case.
Watson further said: "There are some influential community members who know that this is happening and they are not saying anything about it, and you know, oftentimes, why they are not saying anything about it is because they are quick to tell you that it is not their business. They don't want anybody to do them anything, so they are not going to say anything."
Referring to an increased level of sexual misconduct in the parish, the police superintendent said: "We have a serious problem … . There are a number of persons who believe that as long as the girl under the age of 16 decides that she wants to engage in sexual activities, it really ought not be the problem of the police."
He warned: "No one, under the Child Care and Protection Act, can give permission for sex before attaining the age of 16."
Those who engage in sexual acts with minors, he said, will go to prison.
[email protected]
Published: Friday | March 28, 20145 Comments
Superintendent Merrick Watson
Deon Green, Gleaner Writer
Morant Bay, St Thomas:
The St Thomas police have revealed that statistical data has made it clear many parents in the parish have been pimping their daughters as a source of income.
Addressing a St Thomas Parish Council community meeting at the Anglican Church Hall in Morant Bay on Thursday, Superintendent Merrick Watson said the increasing number of sexual abuse cases involving children in the parish is worrying to the police.
"There are a number of parents - and when I say a number, take it from me as the police with the statistics - who are actually pimping out their young girls. They are literally making money off the innocence of their daughters," Watson said, though he did not reveal the data.
He added that while the issue could be the same among boys, the police had no statistics to confirm or deny whether that is the case.
Watson further said: "There are some influential community members who know that this is happening and they are not saying anything about it, and you know, oftentimes, why they are not saying anything about it is because they are quick to tell you that it is not their business. They don't want anybody to do them anything, so they are not going to say anything."
Referring to an increased level of sexual misconduct in the parish, the police superintendent said: "We have a serious problem … . There are a number of persons who believe that as long as the girl under the age of 16 decides that she wants to engage in sexual activities, it really ought not be the problem of the police."
He warned: "No one, under the Child Care and Protection Act, can give permission for sex before attaining the age of 16."
Those who engage in sexual acts with minors, he said, will go to prison.
[email protected]