Teen boys arrested amid sexual assault video, incident condemned by Gender and Education ministers

The police are reporting that the teen boys seen in a video sexually assaulting a schoolgirl have been arrested.

The video, which came to light sometime last week and has been circulated on social media platforms, depicts inappropriate behaviour involving the girl and multiple boys.

The police are urging the public to refrain from sharing the video as they say this can further traumatise the victim and by extension affect the successful outcome of the case.

The lawmen are also reminding citizens that sharing such content may constitute a breach of the Child Pornography (Prevention Act), and persons found guilty are subject to imprisonment for up to 20 years.

Meanwhile, Gender Minister Olivia Grange and Minister of Education Dr Dana Morris Dixon, in a jointed media statement, have both condemned the incident.

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Grange said she is outraged and deeply concerned about the sexual assault of the young female student.

She said it was a heinous act of violence which demands swift justice for the victim.

"This is appalling and despicable and has no place in our society. It shows why as a nation, we must come together to protect our women and girls. It is heartbreaking to see this kind of violence, especially against our children, who should be nurtured and protected in every space they occupy."

Grange called for all Jamaicans to take a stand against gender-based violence and emphasised the importance of fostering a culture of respect and safety for women and girls.

"It is our collective responsibility to ensure that our children are safeguarded, both physically and emotionally, and that perpetrators of such crimes are held accountable.”

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 not be tolerated.”