This week's featured development as Newsmaker of the Week just ended are two disturbing incidents involving schoolchildren, one of which led to arrests, including of teen boys who were reportedly seen in a video observing another teen physically and sexually assaulting a schoolgirl in a room.
The other incident was not of a sexual nature, but also featured physical violence when a male student at Hopewell High School in Hanover was repeatedly slapped in the face, kicked and beaten all over his body by a group of boys.
Similarly, that vicious assault was captured on video and circulated on social media.
A 17-year-old boy has been arrested and charged in connection to the assault of the schoolboy, while two others were detained, but a police statement on Friday did not give any indication as to whether they will similarly face charges.
Both recorded incidents of vicious student violence have been widely condemned by Jamaicans and other stakeholders, including the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA).
The first video with the teenage girl being abused came to light sometime over a week ago when it went viral. It depicted a boy attired in his school uniform sexually and physically assaulting the girl, while other boys attired in khaki uniforms looked on. The victim was also attired in her school uniform.
Additional details emerged in mid-week that the boys allegedly lured the 13-year-old girl to a house in Portsmouth, Portmore, St Catherine, where she was sexually assaulted and beaten, the acts were recorded.
The police warned then for persons to desist from sharing the video, as it is a criminal offence to do so.
The six accused boys were remanded to a place of safety when they appeared in a Children's Court on Thursday, and are to return to court on Monday for a bail application, according to media reports.
Gender Minister Olivia Grange, as well as Minister of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Dr Dana Morris Dixon, in a jointed media statement, both condemned the incident.
Grange stated that she was outraged and deeply concerned about the sexual assault of the young female student.
Olivia Grange
"This is appalling and despicable, and has no place in our society," Grange was quoted as saying in the statement relative to the assault of the girl.
"It shows why as a nation, we must come together to protect our women and girls. It is heart-breaking to see this kind of violence, especially against our children, who should be nurtured and protected in every space they occupy," said Grange.
For her part, Morris Dixon said this "horrifying" incident not only highlights the pervasive issue of violence against women and girls, but also underscores the urgent need to address this scourge through education, awareness and enforcement of the law.
"The Ministry of Education stands ready to provide counselling and psycho-social support to the student, families and members of the community affected by this traumatic event. This type of violence being perpetuated by students cannot be tolerated," Morris Dixon declared on Monday.
Dr Dana Morris Dixon
By Thursday evening, another disturbing video, which involved the severe physical beating of a male student of the Hanover-based Hopewell High School by other male students, began making the rounds on social media.
"We identified that the boys in the video were from Hopewell High School. Therefore, our first responders visited the school yesterday, Thursday, November 28," said CPFSA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Laurette Adams-Thomas, in the statement.
Continuing, she said: "We spoke with the 15-year-old student who was assaulted, as well as his father, and the CPFSA will be providing counselling through our Children and Family Support Unit."
The agency said it is in dialogue with the school, and will be providing psychological support to the victim.
The agency was quick to point out that the boy was allegedly beaten on two occasions earlier this week by the group of students.
The 15-year-old victim was to also receive medical attention on Friday, the CPFSA reported.
"The video was quite perturbing to watch. The behaviour of the boys is simply heartless. We continue to see serious levels of aggression in these bullying cases, which indicate that something is fundamentally wrong with our exposure to violence as a society," Adams-Thomas stated.
She said according to the 2023 Jamaica Violence Against Children (VAC) survey, "more than three out of every four children and youth experienced violence in their lifetime, and more than half (53 per cent) of children and youth who experience physical violence had their first incident at ages 12-17 years.
"Also, one in three males experience childhood physical violence in Jamaica. In relation to physical violence against males (children and youth ages 13-24), 44 per cent of the perpetrators are usually their peers, "Adams-Thomas informed.
The CPFSA boss is calling for parents to be more assertive in taking steps to safeguard and support their children.
"As a nation, we can all help in the fight against bullying and violence (in all its forms) against our children. Parents, you need to maintain an open and active communication system with your child/ren so that they feel comfortable to come and speak with you about what is happening to them either at school or in their communities.
"Also, pay attention to your children so that you are able to quickly identify possible signs of bullying. Is your child anxious about going to school? Does he/she have unexplained physical marks or bruising? Is he/she losing money or has no friends? Has academic performance declined?
"Additionally, if you get complaints about your child bullying others, or you notice aggression in your child’s behaviour towards others, take it seriously and get help for your child early. Most importantly, we need to be good role models to our children. Remember, violence begets violence," Adams-Thomas pointed out.
The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) confirmed on Friday evening that three people, including a 17-year-old boy, who they said is the main suspect, have been arrested in connection in the beating of the Hopewell High School student.
File photo of a detainee.
The police said the main suspect was charged with assault occasioning bodily harm, but the cops did not say what charges, if any, were laid against the others.
The police's version of the events are that the 17-year-old accused, as well as several other students, allegedly ambushed the complainant behind a church in the vicinity of the Orchard community in Hanover.
The teen was allegedly kicked in the head, neck and back, as well as repeatedly slapped by the 17-year-old now accused.
The accused and others reportedly threatened the now complainant, warning him not to report the incident.
The police said the complainant remained silent until November 27 when he was again assaulted by the 17-year-old boy and other students at the same location. That incident was captured on video, which subsequently went viral.
The suspects are reportedly linked to volatile communities in Hanover and St James, according to the police.
The 17-year-old accused boy is scheduled to appear in the Lucea Family Court on December 3.
Social media users on Facebook condemned both videos.
"I just couldn't watch it (the video) out; from he (the 15-year-old boy) got the first box, I stopped. It's just too much now! A strong message needs to be sent to these school men," a woman wrote on Facebook.
"Make an example out of them (the schoolboys involved in the beating of their peer) so that others will be deterred," said another woman.
Commented a man: "The parents need to monitor their kids. When I see how some of them (the children) behave in Spanish Town in the mornings, you wonder if is school them go, and everyone see it, 'cause them don't care".
Shared another: "This should have been the standard for decades now. Bullies belong in juvie (juvenile centres), not schools. Let those who want to learn be able to do so in peace."
Meanwhile, a woman said the two disturbing videos that emerged over the past few days have left her feeling distressed and outraged.
"Jamaica gone down a path of no return, or am I crazy? Boys holding down, raping a girl, boys slapping up another boy like they're little dons? I am distressed, upset, outraged, sick to the stomach. Send help!" she wrote.
Asked another woman: "What is happening with these children??? Why are they so violent against each other".
Opined another: "There should be no exception to the rule. The big woman and man dem that the parents are sending to school in uniform must be held accountable!
"Moreover, the parents (of the 15-year-old boy being hit and slapped in the face) should take out a lawsuit against the parents (of the accused) for pain and suffering and the trauma for this child," the Facebook user suggested.