Team from police Community Safety and Security Branch to be deployed to Clarendon following reports of 2 sexual assault cases

September 10, 2026

A delegation from the Community Safety and Security Branch of the Jamaica Constabulary Force will be deployed to Clarendon to examine incidents of domestic violence and violence against children.

This in the wake of reports of 2 sexual assault cases.

One involves the abduction and rape of a 10-year-old girl in Mineral Heights on Tuesday, while the other relates to the rape of an elderly woman in Lionel Town.

A statement from the Ministry of National Security, said the JCF delegation will identify opportunities for strengthened intervention and support.

Portfolio Minister Dr Horace Chang expressed concern over a number of serious incidents of violence reported since the start of September, including violence against young people, as well as violence perpetrated by young people.

The Minister’s concern follows the fatal stabbing of a 13-year-old girl in Flanker, St James, on Thursday, September 3, during an altercation involving other teenage girls.

Since the start of September, there have been four reported incidents involving fatal stabbing or chopping, including the St James incident.

Dr Chang noted that the circumstances surrounding the St James stabbing, including reports that the conflict began through interactions on social media, and have highlighted the need for greater attention to the way young people use and interact on social media platforms.

He said the Government will examine measures to better manage social media use among youth, particularly where online disputes and interactions can contribute to real world conflict and violence.

He said the Government’s response must combine decisive action against those who commit serious crimes with measures to prevent violence and address the circumstances in which it develops.

The recent incidents also highlight the need for a different approach to violence prevention and intervention.

He said while the police continue efforts to confront gang violence, organised criminality and other serious crimes, violence involving children and young people, including incidents of interpersonal conflict and violence perpetrated by youth, requires complementary interventions focused on prevention, early intervention, social support and community engagement.

The Government will therefore pursue a series of coordinated approaches to address the different forms, and drivers of, violence, with increased coordination among case managers operating in affected schools and communities.

These efforts require collaboration with businesses, faith based organisations and other community stakeholders to strengthen coordination, information sharing and community support, to ensure that appropriate interventions are activated where young people and vulnerable persons may be at risk.

The Minister urged stakeholders to remain vigilant and to seek appropriate intervention where there are signs of bullying, threats, escalating conflict or other behaviours.

https://iriefm.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/CHANG-CLIP-VIOL-CHLDRN.mp3