Youth parliamentarians demand tougher penalties, law overhaul
Published:Tuesday | February 1, 2022 | 12:12 AMAinsworth Morris/Staff Reporter
Jamaican lawmakers have been urged to overhaul decades-old legislation and update fines deemed out of step with modern-day trends.
Karyl Thorpe, 2021 national youth parliamentarian from St Catherine South Eastern, used the platform of Gordon House to advocate for a sweeping review of laws and for more stringent penalties to be imposed.
During her presentation at the 12th sitting of the National Youth Parliament of Jamaica on Monday, Thorpe charged that many fines were equivalent to a slap on the wrist.
“Why is the assault on a child or a woman in 2022 just J$2,000?!” Thorpe questioned.
“In the current condition of our failing economy, that is chump change. How can that meagre quantity of money demonstrate any sorrow for heinous action? I strongly advise boosting this sum … bringing it to J$200,000.”
She also wants more legislative amendments to increase protection for minors.
With 132 people killed in the first 29 days of the new year, Thorpe has championed greater focus on community policing, including neighbourhood patrols and the strengthening of the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Community Safety and Security Branch.
“As a result of working alongside the police and the justices of the peace, citizens will be able to establish trust with law enforcement, making it easier to make reports,” Thorpe said.
Othneil Lammie, the member representing St Thomas Eastern, lamented that one in four women experiences abuse. He called for a decisive campaign to eliminate domestic violence.
Deshawn Cooke, who represents Trelawny Northern, added his voice to concerns about the acceleration of amendments to the Domestic Violence Act.
“The remedy is to change the six months’ imprisonment or $10,000 fine for the violation of a protection order, as it now only archaic . … What is the message we are sending with such a menial fine?” Cooke said.
“Conversely, in the Republic of Barbados, the penalty is approximately J$400,000 and one year imprisonment, or both, so do we really believe that the penalties are enough to ward off perpetrators?”
He raised concerns that coronavirus restrictions, such as work-from-home orders, may have worsened vulnerability to domestic violence and child abuse, with households being transformed from havens into “the lion’s den”.
And Anthony Beckford, the member representing Westmoreland Western, has called for more social intervention programmes and sensitisation sessions with trained counsellors.
“I offer the recommendation that we allocate more human and financial resources to implement the Domestic Violence Action Plan. There is a need for an increase in the number of shelters. The domestic violence intervention centres we currently have will require a new outlook and a more strategic approach,” Beckford said.